Rajdhani Royals and Nyayadhani Knights will face off in the opening fixture of the inaugural Chhattisgarh Hockey League (CHL) on 22 October at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur, marking the launch of what organisers describe as India's first official state hockey league. The tournament, running through 1 November, will feature six franchises, 18 matches, and 132 players across a packed eleven-day schedule.

Historic Significance of the League

The Chhattisgarh Hockey League is organised by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, and is being billed as a landmark moment for grassroots hockey in the country. Unlike existing club competitions, this is a franchise-based state league — a format that has transformed cricket and kabaddi but has not, until now, been applied to hockey at the state level in India.

The six competing franchises are Rajdhani Royals, Nyayadhani Knights, Bailadila Bulls, Sanskardhani Strikers, Chakradhar Champions, and Mainpat Titans. Squads were finalised following extensive trials, with representation drawn from different regions of the state to ensure geographic spread.

Olympians and Marquee Players to Headline

The 132-player roster includes several India internationals and Olympians. Marquee names confirmed across the six franchises include Surender Kumar, Pradeep Mor, SV Sunil, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Shamsher, and Chinglensana Singh Kangujam. Their presence is expected to raise the competitive standard and provide young local players with direct exposure to top-tier hockey.

League Ambassador Sardar Singh, the former India captain, said the tournament sets a new benchmark for state-level hockey development. 'The inception of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League is an initiative that sets the benchmark for everyone to follow, and I'm confident that the hockey players from Chhattisgarh will benefit from this greatly,' Singh said.

He added that the role offered him a direct opportunity to shape emerging talent. 'Becoming CHL's League Ambassador is a great opportunity for me to help Chhattisgarh's talented players develop into potential national and international stars. The eyes of the entire hockey fraternity is going to be on this league. All the squads are well balanced with the perfect mix of experience and raw talent. I'm confident that the level of hockey on display in the inaugural season is going to be special,' Singh said.

Support Staff Across All Six Franchises

Coaching and management teams have been announced for each franchise. Nyayadhani Knights will be led by head coach Rajnish Mishra, with Mrinal Choubey as assistant coach and Gopeshwar Kahara as team manager. Mainpat Titans are coached by Rajinder Singh Jr., assisted by Amitabh Manikpuri, and managed by Deepesh Choubey. Chakradhar Champions have Devesh Chauhan as head coach, Ravi Pareek as assistant, and Dhaniram Yadav as manager.

Rajdhani Royals are coached by Ajitesh Roy, with Rashmi Sandhya Ekka as assistant coach and Anis Ahmed as team manager. Sanskardhani Strikers have Ajay Kumar heading the coaching staff, supported by Anuraj Shrivastava and manager Yogesh Dwivedi. Bailadila Bulls are guided by Md. Riyaz as head coach, Rakesh Toppo as assistant, and Jahangir Khan as manager.

Full Schedule and Finals Date

The league opens on 22 October with a Women's Exhibition Match at 5:30 pm, followed by the headline clash between Rajdhani Royals and Nyayadhani Knights at 7:30 pm. League-stage matches run daily through 29 October, with 30 October designated as a rest day. The two semi-finals are scheduled for 31 October — League 1st vs League 4th at 5:30 pm, and League 2nd vs League 3rd at 7:30 pm. The final to crown the inaugural champion takes place on 1 November at 7 pm.

Notably, the opening day also features a Women's Exhibition Match, signalling an intent to use the platform to promote women's hockey alongside the main competition. How the league is received — both in terms of attendance and broadcast interest — will likely determine whether other states follow Chhattisgarh's lead in launching their own franchise hockey leagues.