A state-level workshop for District Sports Officers and Contractual Youth Co-ordinators was held recently at Samman Bhavan, Bhopal, under the aegis of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare. The event, inaugurated by Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang, saw participation from all 10 divisions of the State. The workshop aimed to enhance sports infrastructure, promote youth leadership and fitness, and share new departmental initiatives. Speaking at the State-level workshop, Minister Sarang emphasised the need for a year-round talent search campaign to identify and nurture sporting potential across the State.

 

He urged the officials to work with the commitment of conducting a ‘365-day talent hunt’ to tap into the capabilities of at least 50 lakh youth from the state’s 9 crore population. The workshop brought together officers and coordinators from all 10 divisions - Bhopal, Rewa, Sagar, Ujjain, Indore, Gwalior, Morena, Jabalpur, Narmadapuram, and Shahdol. Sessions covered key themes including new sports initiatives in the state, youth welfare activities, mental health, doping awareness, and physical fitness. The event also served as a platform to share innovative practices and successful models from various districts. Minister Sarang underlined the importance of connecting with youth at the grassroots level and directed youth coordinators to maintain active engagement with their respective blocks. He announced that the work of co-ordinators will be reviewed again after three months and proposed the formation of block clusters - especially in low-population areas—to organise targeted talent search activities. Coordinators were also advised to liaise with school games authorities and other departments for better synergy. A special emphasis was laid on developing local sports infrastructure and integrating youth in social movements such as drug de-addiction campaigns.

 

“We are not just creating athletes but shaping responsible citizens and future leaders of society,” said the minister. Suggestions for infrastructure devpt Several district-level suggestions were implemented on the spot. Based on recommendations from Shahdol, a football feeder center will soon be set up in Vicharpur (dubbed ‘Mini Brazil’). The enthusiasm for football in Sardarapur, Dhar - home to international player Jyoti Chauhan - also prompted plans for a sports exchange programme and a football tournament in Bhopal between Vicharpur and Sardarapur. The Minister announced expansion plans for the State’s only volleyball hostel in Narsinghpur into a full-fledged academy and welcomed the emergence of water sports talent from Sanchi.

 

He praised efforts from Neemuch (27 active football clubs), Ujjain (synthetic track and indoor facilities), and Shahdol (rich football tradition), while committing to also promote cricket as a mainstream sport. Sarang called for the development of a digital monitoring application and monthly coordination meetings at the district level. Six youth coordinators were honored for outstanding work, and the event concluded with a call for continuous innovation and field-level feedback to strengthen the State’s sports ecosystem.