Raipur, January 29, 2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today unveiled the logo and mascot “Gajru” for the Sarguja Olympic, to be held on the lines of the Bastar Olympic, at a ceremony held at the Secretariat.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister extended his best wishes to the people of the Sarguja region and said that now, like Bastar, the sporting talents of Sarguja will also have a strong platform to showcase their abilities.
Expressing happiness over the registration of approximately 3.50 lakh athletes in 12 sports disciplines, the Chief Minister said that this number reflects the enthusiasm, energy, and dedication of the youth of the Sarguja region towards sports.
Public participation in the Bastar Olympic has earned it special recognition at the national level, and now that enthusiasm will take the Sarguja Olympic to new heights, Sai said. The registrations clearly demonstrate that Sarguja is fully prepared for this event, he added.
The Chief Minister, while taking detailed information about the preparations, also extended his best wishes for a successful event.
Deputy Chief Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Arun Sao, at the unveiling ceremony of the Sarguja Olympic mascot and logo, stated that this event will provide a good platform for Sarguja athletes to showcase their talent and skills.
Sao stated that the winning athletes of the Sarguja Olympic will be granted direct admission to the state’s training academies. They will be declared youth icons to inspire youth and children to participate in sports.
It is noteworthy that the Sarguja Olympic 2026 logo is a vibrant symbol of the region’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and sporting spirit. The logo features the famous Tiger Point Waterfall in Mainpat, symbolising greenery, energy, and continuous flow. The “Sarguja Olympic 2026” inscription in the center clearly identifies the event and expresses local pride and identity.
The emblems of the 12 Games around the event convey a message of inclusiveness and equal opportunity. The colour combination reflects the vibrancy, enthusiasm, and unity of the event. Red also holds special cultural significance in the traditions of the Pahari Korwa tribe, where it symbolizes strength, courage, and life-force. This colour, carrying a sense of positivity and protection, reflects the deep connection between divine power and human life.
Similarly, the mascot of Sarguja Olympic 2026 is Gajru, a symbol of the natural and cultural identity of the Sarguja region. In tribal society, the elephant is considered a symbol of strength, patience, intelligence, and unity. Its characteristics—strength, discipline, balance, and relentless effort—are associated with the spirit of sportsmanship, and its tendency to move in a herd conveys the message of teamwork and collective participation.
Sports talent competitions will be held at the block, district, and division levels.
Registration for the Sarguja Olympic was open from December 28, 2025, to January 25, 2026, with approximately 3.50 lakh people from six districts registering. Of these, 159,000 men and 189,000 women have registered for the event. Block, district, and division-level competitions will be held in 12 disciplines, including kabaddi, kho-kho, archery, football, volleyball, hockey, wrestling, and tug-of-war.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Chief Secretary Vikassheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Secretary Sports Yashwant Kumar, Director Sports Tanuja Salam, and other senior officials were present at the event.
