Chhattisgarh is set to make history by hosting India's first official state-level hockey league, with the inaugural Chhattisgarh Hockey League (CHL) scheduled from 21 October to 1 November 2025 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur. The franchise-based league, sanctioned under the aegis of Hockey India, was announced by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday and will feature six teams representing different regions of the state.

Marquee Players and Team Identities

Indian hockey stalwarts and Olympic medallists Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, and Surender Kumar have been named among the marquee players for the inaugural edition. Prominent national team members Jaskaran Singh and Devindar Walmiki will also feature in the league. The six franchises unveiled for the inaugural season are Rajdhani Royals, Chitrakoot Challengers, Sanskardhani Strikers, Chakradhar Champions, Nyayadhani Knights, and Mainpat Titans.

Format and Schedule

The league will follow a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to knockout semifinals. The final is scheduled for 1 November, and a special exhibition match between women's teams is also planned on the same day — a notable inclusion that signals intent beyond the men's game. The entire tournament spans 12 days at a single venue, making logistics and crowd engagement central to its success.

What the Government Said

The official logo, mascot, and team identities were unveiled at a launch event attended by Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Arun Sao, along with senior departmental officials and representatives of Hockey Chhattisgarh. Sao said: 'Chhattisgarh has a very strong base in terms of athletes across sports, and it is an honour to be the first state to introduce an official state hockey league. This reinforces our commitment towards the national game and is a testament to the effort that the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare has been putting in over the years. Chhattisgarh Hockey League marks a very important starting point in what can promise to be an extremely flourishing addition to the history of Indian Hockey.'

He added that the primary aim has been 'to provide the state's athletes with the best opportunity to excel at the state, national and international level,' describing the CHL as 'a step in the right direction.'

Visual Identity and Mascot

The league's visual identity incorporates the map of Chhattisgarh alongside a stylised hockey player, with saffron and green elements evoking an Indian identity and an orange trail symbolising energy, speed, and ambition. The official mascot, Baghwa — a tiger — represents courage, strength, and resilience, drawing inspiration from the state's forests and wildlife heritage. The league carries the tagline 'Chalo Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo', reflecting Chhattisgarh's sporting identity and passion for the sport.

Why It Matters

Hockey India's backing gives the CHL a formal structure that distinguishes it from informal state tournaments. Chhattisgarh has consistently produced national-level hockey talent, and a franchise-based league provides a competitive pathway that club and district tournaments typically cannot. Notably, this comes at a time when Indian hockey is riding a post-Paris Olympics 2024 wave of renewed public interest, making the timing of the CHL's launch strategically significant. Whether other states follow with similar Hockey India-sanctioned leagues will be a key development to watch.