Lohardaga, Feb 13 (.) Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday attended the closing ceremony of the Baldev Sahu Memorial T-20 Cricket Tournament-2026 held at BS College Ground here, where Lohardaga Lions defeated Palamu Jaglers by eight wickets to lift the title.
The Chief Minister presented the winner’s trophy to Lohardaga Lions and handed over the runner-up trophy to Palamu Jaglers amid enthusiastic cheers from spectators and cricket enthusiasts who gathered in large numbers for the final match.
He said Jharkhand is steadily progressing in the field of sports and that sporting talent runs deep among the youth of the state.
The Chief Minister remarked that players from Jharkhand are bringing laurels to the state at national and international levels.
Referring to former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he said the cricketer has made the state proud on the global stage.
He also highlighted the strong presence of Jharkhand players in Indian hockey, including leadership roles in the women’s national team.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the state government is committed to promoting not only cricket and hockey but also archery, football, lawn bowls and other sports through a comprehensive sports policy aimed at nurturing emerging talent.
He said Jharkhand, traditionally known for its mineral wealth, will in the coming years also be identified for its sporting excellence.
He noted that the development of BS College Ground was undertaken with the support of the state government and acknowledged the contribution of former Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Prasad Sahu in strengthening sports infrastructure at the venue.
Expressing confidence, he said the stadium would emerge as a major sporting hub in the region.
Former Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh were present as special guests on the occasion. The Chief Minister held discussions with them regarding the state government’s initiatives and future possibilities in sports development.
. KT .