Raipur, October 14, 2026: A new chapter is about to be added to Chhattisgarh’s sports history. The state will host its first-ever international women’s cricket match.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his delight at the upcoming T20 International match between the Indian and Zimbabwe women’s cricket teams, calling it a proud occasion for the state.
Officials of the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association today met Sai at the Secretariat and invited him to attend the India-Zimbabwe Women’s T20 International Cricket Match.
Accepting the invitation, the Chief Minister congratulated the association officials on hosting this first-ever international women’s cricket match in the state and wished them a successful event.
He expressed special enthusiasm among the women, youth, and sports enthusiasts of the state for the India-Zimbabwe Women’s T20 match.
Sai suggested free entry for female spectators to ensure greater participation in this historic event. The officials of the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association agreed to the Chief Minister’s suggestion.
The Chief Minister stated that hosting an international women’s cricket match in Chhattisgarh for the first time is a significant milestone in the state’s sports journey. Watching the best women cricketers from the country and the world play on Chhattisgarh’s soil will be an inspiring experience, especially for our daughters and young female players.
Such events will further strengthen their belief that, given the proper opportunities, training, and encouragement, they too can bring glory to the state and country at the national and international levels, he said.
Sai stated that women’s participation in sports is steadily increasing, and our daughters are bringing glory to the country by performing brilliantly in national and international competitions. Bringing more women and girls to the stadium to watch women’s matches will be a source of inspiration in itself. When our daughters see international players playing with confidence and competitiveness on the field, they too will be encouraged to pursue sports as their future and career, he said.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government is continuously working to create a conducive environment for sports in Chhattisgarh and provide opportunities for talented players to thrive. Our goal is not only to develop good players, but also to foster a strong sports culture in the state, where children and youth receive encouragement from their families and society to participate in sports. Hosting major national and international sporting events plays a crucial role in this direction.
The Chief Minister stated that Chhattisgarh has no shortage of sporting talent. Many talented players are emerging from the state’s villages, towns, tribal areas, and remote regions.
The state government strives to provide these talents with improved sports infrastructure, training, and ample opportunities for advancement. Hosting national and international competitions in the state provides players with the opportunity to observe major competitions and top players closely and draw inspiration from them. This will further strengthen the positive sports environment in the state, he said.
Sai expressed confidence that this international women’s cricket match between India and Zimbabwe will elevate the popularity of women’s cricket in Chhattisgarh to new heights. This will inspire the state’s emerging women’s cricket talents, and in the future, even more players from Chhattisgarh will make their mark in national and international cricket.
The Chief Minister stated that Chhattisgarh is rapidly expanding its capabilities to host national and international sporting events. Improved sports infrastructure, growing facilities for athletes, and the youth’s enthusiasm for sports are building the foundation for the state’s new identity in the sports field.
The state government is striving to ensure that prestigious national and international competitions in various sports are held in Chhattisgarh in the future, establishing its unique identity as one of the country’s leading sports centers, Sai said.
Wishing the Indian and Zimbabwe women’s cricket teams the best of luck for the upcoming match, Sai said that sports are not only a medium of competition but also a medium of discipline, team spirit, and mutual harmony. He urged the people of the state and sports lovers to celebrate this historic match and encourage the players.
Present on the occasion were Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association President Mohan Das, Director Vijay Shah, former President Mukul Tiwari, Secretary Vintesh Agarwal, G.S. Murthy, Vinay Bajaj, and other officials of the association.
