The Sports and Youth Welfare Department of the Chhattisgarh government has announced the State Sports Decoration Awards for the years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The initiative aims to recognize and encourage outstanding athletes, coaches, and referees at the state and national levels. The last date for submitting applications is June 26, 2025. The awards are dedicated to the state’s brave martyrs. The Shaheed Rajeev Pandey Award includes a prize of ₹3 lakh, while the Shaheed Kaushal Yadav Award and the Veer Hanuman Singh Award come with ₹1.5 lakh each. Additionally, the Shaheed Pankaj Vikram Award and the Vinod Chaubey Samman will offer an incentive of ₹25,000. The government has decided to reward outstanding teams under the Chief Minister Trophy, with incentives ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh depending on the number of players in the team. Selected players will also receive financial assistance in the form of an Inspiration Fund and Diet Money. The maximum age for Diet Money eligibility is set at 19 years. Coaches and referees will also be honored based on their roles and contributions. Application forms can be downloaded from the website http://sportsyw.cg.gov.in, or obtained from the District Sports Office or the State Sports Directorate, Raipur. Applicants must attach the necessary certificates. Applications for the Shaheed Pankaj Vikram Samman are only valid with recommendations from state sports associations. The selection process will be based on sports associations’ recommendations, sports achievements, and the prescribed eligibility criteria. Athletes, coaches, and referees in the state have until June 26, 2025, to apply. Incomplete or unclear applications will be rejected. The decision of the selection committee will be final and binding.
