Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government on Monday announced the launch of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League (CHL), a franchise-based state tournament sanctioned by Hockey India that organisers say will create a formal pathway for players from the state to reach higher levels of the sport.
Franchise format, schedule and venue
The inaugural edition is scheduled from 21 October to 1 November and will be played at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur. Six city-based franchises will take part in a league format, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals and the competition concluding with a final on 1 November. Organisers have also proposed staging a women’s exhibition match on the day of the final.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | 21 October – 1 November |
| Venue | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium, Raipur |
| Teams | 6 city-based franchises |
Teams, mascot and local identity
The six franchises announced are: Rajdhani Royals, Chitrakoot Challengers, Sanskardhani Strikers, Chakradhar Champions, Nyayadhani Knights and Mainpat Titans. The league has adopted a local cultural theme: its mascot, Baghwa (tiger), was introduced as a symbol linking courage and resilience with the state’s forest and wildlife heritage. The tournament’s tagline — “Chalo Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo” — is intended to root the competition in regional identity and popularise the sport among local communities.
Government backing and statements
Deputy Chief Minister and Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Arun Sao unveiled the league logo on Tuesday. He said the CHL would expand opportunities for players in the state and help them progress to higher levels of competition. Organisers framed the CHL as the first official state hockey league to receive sanction from Hockey India.
“Chhattisgarh has a very strong base in terms of athletes across sports and it is an honour to be the first state to introduce an official state hockey league,” Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said.
Player pool and marquee names
Organisers indicated several established Indian players and Olympians are expected to feature in the CHL. Named among the likely participants were Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, Surender Kumar, Jaskaran Singh and Devindar Walmiki. A full squad list and the complete match schedule have not been published; officials said the timetable will be released at a later date.
What this means for hockey in Chhattisgarh
The CHL represents an effort to build structured competitive exposure for players within the state rather than relying solely on district and state-level tournaments. By adopting a franchise model and inviting notable senior players, the league seeks to combine professional-level competition with grassroots talent development. If successful, organisers say the league could act as a feeder system for state and national selections.
- Talent pathway: Regular competitive matches in a league format can provide match practice and visibility for emerging players.
- Local engagement: City-based franchises and a vernacular tagline aim to boost spectator interest and community support.
- Women's participation: The planned exhibition match on final day signals intent to promote the women’s game, though details remain limited.
Next steps and outstanding details
Organisers have yet to announce the full match schedule, ticketing arrangements, broadcast plans or commercial partners. Details on franchise owners, player drafts or auction processes were not disclosed in the initial announcement. These operational points will be critical to determining the league’s sustainability beyond the first season.
The CHL’s sanction by Hockey India lends administrative legitimacy, but the tournament’s impact will depend on execution, player participation and audience uptake over the coming months. The state’s hockey community will be watching for the schedule and team rosters when they are published.
