THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Lohardaga, Feb 13: Former Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh today attended the closing ceremony of the Baldev Sahu Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament-2026 as special guests at BS College Ground, Lohardaga. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who graced the occasion, held detailed discussions with the two cricketing icons on the state government’s initiatives and plans for sports development in Jharkhand.
The final match saw Lohardaga Lions defeat Palamu Jugglers by eight wickets to clinch the title. The Chief Minister presented the trophy to the winning and runner-up teams amid loud cheers from spectators.
‘Sports in the blood of Jharkhand’s youth’
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said Jharkhand is continuously progressing in the field of sports. “Sports is in the blood of the youth here. Our players are bringing glory to the state in the country and across the world,” he said.
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He highlighted that Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who hails from Jharkhand, has earned global recognition in cricket. He also pointed out that Jharkhand players have had a strong presence in Indian hockey for years. Many players in the Indian women’s hockey team, including the captain, are from the state, which he described as a matter of pride.
The Chief Minister said that besides cricket and hockey, the state government is working to promote sports such as archery, football, and lawn bowls. A comprehensive sports policy has been formulated to strengthen infrastructure and provide better opportunities to players.
State to be known for sportspersons
Hemant Soren said that Jharkhand has long been known for its mineral wealth, but the government is striving to ensure that the state is equally recognised for its sportspersons. “We are preparing a strong action plan in this direction,” he said.
He mentioned that it was his first visit to the BS College Ground and noted that the state government has contributed to the development of the ground. Former Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu has also played a significant role in its overall development. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the stadium would become a major center of attraction in the future.
He appreciated the enthusiasm of the young cricketers and the large turnout of sports lovers and spectators. The Chief Minister extended his congratulations and best wishes to all participating players.
Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari, Minister Deepika Pandey Singh, Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, MLA Ramchandra Singh, MLA Bhushan Bada, MLA Naman Vikas Kongadi, MLA Rajesh Kachhap, former Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, along with other dignitaries and a large number of people, were present on the occasion.