Dantewada moves beyond Maoist past, gets sports boost from Sachin
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar visited Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Wednesday to participate in an event as part of a grassroots sports initiative aimed at transforming the once Maoist-affected region into a thriving sports hub.
Tendulkar arrived at Jagdalpur airport and later travelled to Chhindwar village in Dantewada, where an event under the ‘Maidan Cup’ initiative is being held.
Talking to reporters at Jagdalpur airport, Tendulkar said, “I am very happy that we have developed around 50 school playgrounds (under the Maidan Cup initiative).”
He said a Maidan Cup competition is being held in Dantewada, supported by the Mann Deshi and Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, benefiting more than 5,000 children.
According to district administration officials, it launched the Maidan Cup initiative in collaboration with Mann Deshi and Sachin Tendulkar Foundation last year as part of efforts to shed the region’s strife-torn image and promote sports culture.
“It feels wonderful as our foundation with Mann Deshi team has been doing a good job here. I may play with the children as the sports event, which includes disciplines like kabaddi, kho-kho, athletics and volleyball, is being held,” Tendulkar said.
Dantewada, once known for Maoist violence, including the 2010 ambush in Tadmetla (now in Sukma district) in which 76 security personnel were killed, is witnessing a shift. This initiative seeks to “reclaim childhood” and open new avenues for youth through sports, a district administration official said.
Chhattisgarh was declared free from Left-Wing Extremism on March 31 this year.
Under the Maidan Cup initiative, the target was to develop 50 playgrounds in the first phase in Government schools, including high schools, higher secondary schools and porta cabin institutions, using low-cost models and community participation, the official said.
Facilities for 13 sports disciplines, including running tracks, shot put, javelin throw, discus throw, long jump and wall climbing, have been created. Each playground has been developed at a cost of less than Rs 4 lakh using locally available materials, he said.
Involving iconic figures like Tendulkar was aimed at inspiring children and encouraging community participation. Boundary walls of the playgrounds have been decorated with paintings by local children, he said. Playgrounds have already been completed in several villages, including Chhindnar, he added.
