Dantewada, June 15 Dantewada in Chhattisgarh is shedding the tag of being a Naxal-affected district and is carving a new identity for itself as a sports hub thanks to the local administration's unique initiative supported by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's foundation.
With the Naxalite footprint gradually shrinking in the district, the administration has introduced 'Maidan Cup' in collaboration with the Mann Deshi Foundation and Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, under which 50 playgrounds will be developed in Dantewada to boost sports culture and talent.
"At least 20 playgrounds have been developed in the district so far with community participation as a part of the project, and by October, the target will be achieved," Dantewada collector Kunal Dudawat told PTI.
Last year, the state government organised the Bastar Olympics 2024 to promote sports talents from the Bastar region, comprising Dantewada and six other districts. The idea was to connect sports talents of Naxal-affected and sensitive districts with the world through games, he said. "Along these lines, we decided to introduce Maidan Cup to provide dedicated playgrounds to children and youth to further boost sports talents in collaboration with the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation and Mann Deshi Foundation, he said.
Dudawat said in the first phase, 50 playgrounds will be developed in as many villages, and it will be replicated in the entire district in the next phase.
Vibrant playgrounds are being developed in existing spaces on the premises of government high, higher secondary and porta-cabin schools in the district with the help of community participation, he said. |
