Dantewada (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 4 (HBTV): The Dantewada administration in Chhattisgarh has announced plans to develop 50 playgrounds across the district to promote sports among children, particularly in areas previously affected by Naxalism. The initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF) and the Mann Deshi Foundation.

On Saturday, District Magistrate Kunal Dudawat said that the Maidan Cup is being organised under the initiative, with 20 playgrounds already completed and sports teachers undergoing training to identify talented children.

‘With the support of Sachin Tendulkar and the Mann Deshi Foundation, the Maidan Cup is being organised. Under this programme, 50 playgrounds are being developed in the district. These steps are being taken to identify the potential of the children in sports. The work on 20 playgrounds is complete. The sports teachers are also being trained,’ Dudawat told ANI.

District Education Officer Sohan Kumar Ambasht also emphasised the importance of the initiative in shaping the future of students through sports.

‘To recognise the potential of students in sports, playgrounds are being developed in 50 schools of the district. Students will have a bright future in the field of sports,’ Ambasht said on Saturday.

Earlier, a press release stated that the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, in partnership with the Mann Deshi Foundation, has launched the Maidan Cup competition to empower underprivileged children by offering them a platform to showcase their abilities.

A total of 50 playgrounds are being developed from barren lands across 50 participating villages in Dantewada. The initiative is being implemented with active support from District Collectors Mayank Chaturvedi, Kunal Dudawat, and local villagers.

For communities long affected by Naxal violence, this programme offers children a valuable opportunity for growth and development through sports. Over 10,000 children are expected to benefit, with around 40 per cent projected participation from girls—marking a significant step forward in girl child empowerment and gender equality.

The broader goal of the Maidan Cup includes reducing crime rates in conflict-affected zones by 20 per cent or more through grassroots sports programmes. With collective effort and local enthusiasm, the initiative is poised to become a transformative movement in Dantewada.

(ANI)