Dantewada Reinvents Itself as a Sports Hub with Maidan Cup Initiative Backed by Sachin Tendulkar Foundation
Once known primarily as a Naxal-affected region, Dantewada in Chhattisgarh is now charting a new course, emerging as a vibrant sports hub. A collaborative effort by the local administration, the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, and the Mann Deshi Foundation is reshaping the district’s identity through a transformative initiative called the Maidan Cup.
With the Naxalite influence gradually diminishing in the region, the administration launched the Maidan Cup project to promote sports and nurture local talent. Under the initiative, 50 playgrounds are being developed across Dantewada to cultivate a sporting culture among the youth. According to District Collector Kunal Dudawat, 20 playgrounds have already been completed with strong community participation, and the remaining are expected to be ready by October.
These playgrounds are being built on the campuses of government high schools, higher secondary schools, and portable-cabin schools using locally sourced materials, keeping costs below ₹4 lakh per ground. The facilities cater to 13 sports disciplines, including track events, javelin, discus, long jump, wall climbing, and more. Importantly, children from the region have painted the boundary walls of the playgrounds, enhancing community ownership.
The initiative builds on the success of the Bastar Olympics 2024, which was organised by the state government to connect youth from seven districts, including Dantewada, to broader sporting opportunities. The Maidan Cup takes this vision forward by providing long-term, dedicated sports infrastructure to children and youth.
“We aim to ensure that the next Sachin Tendulkar, PT Usha, or Neeraj Chopra emerges from Bastar,” Dudawat said, highlighting the athletic potential of the region’s youth, many of whom already join the police and armed forces. He also announced that panchayats building the best playgrounds will be rewarded with skating parks.
The district is also constructing a residential sports city with top-tier training facilities, including grounds for cricket, football, and hockey, as well as swimming pools, to train medal-potential athletes.
Divya Sinha from the Mann Deshi Foundation, which is implementing the project with funding from the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, emphasized the broader vision: “We want Dantewada to be known for climbing and skateboarding, not conflict.” She added that playgrounds not only enhance mental health and reduce dropout rates but also deter youth from extremist paths.
Over 150 locals—teachers, farmers, labourers, and children—have joined hands to build these playgrounds. So far, villages like Chhindwar, Kasoli, and Heetameta have completed their facilities, benefiting around 10,000 children.
The initiative has also introduced structured training by educating sports teachers in 100 government schools through the Mann Deshi Foundation’s “travel coach” program. With prior success in Maharashtra, where 1,700 teachers have been trained, Dantewada marks the first such effort in central India.
Following its success, the Maidan Cup will soon expand to Jashpur and Raigarh districts, including the home district of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, bringing hope and play to more corners of the state.
