A major shift is underway affecting student athletes in CBSE schools across India, including Chhattisgarh. These students will now be unable to compete in school sports events organized by the state government at the block, district, division, and state levels. This follows the decision by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) to grant CBSE the status of an independent sports unit.
The new regulations will be enforced from the academic year 2025-26. Consequently, athletes from CBSE-affiliated schools will no longer have the opportunity to display their sports abilities at state-level competitions. Instead, they will be required to participate directly in the national competitions conducted by SGFI.
This new structure may result in fewer opportunities for talented athletes to grow and gain exposure, considering the limited number of national platforms available through SGFI. This change will impact many students throughout the state, including those from Bilaspur, who have previously demonstrated strong performances at the district and divisional levels.
SGFI’s recognition of CBSE as an independent unit took place during the 68th National Competition in the 2024-25 session. At that time, CBSE was still in the process of establishing its own independent sports structure. Therefore, the state government permitted CBSE students to participate in state-level events, providing a temporary measure.
With CBSE now having developed its own independent sports system, the Chhattisgarh School Education Department has removed CBSE students from state-level competitions in accordance with SGFI’s guidelines.
The SGFI website also confirms that CBSE students have been participating and winning medals at national competitions independently. As a result, they are no longer eligible to participate in state-level competitions.
This change effectively removes a key avenue for students to reach the state level, potentially posing additional obstacles to their athletic careers and their ability to showcase their talents nationally. Coaches and parents have expressed concerns that this could hinder the development of many skilled athletes.
The decision has sparked a range of reactions within Chhattisgarh’s sports community. Attention is now focused on CBSE’s future plans for expanding its independent sports framework, which will be crucial for preparing students to compete at the national level.