CM felicitates Jharkhand team for historic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win

Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday felicitated the Jharkhand cricket team for its historic triumph in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, describing the maiden title as a landmark achievement for the state in domestic cricket.

Members of the championship-winning team called on the Chief Minister at his residential office here. Team captain and India international Ishan Kishan, along with his teammates, symbolically handed over the winner’s trophy. The Chief Minister congratulated the players, support staff and the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA), and honoured the cricketers by draping them with shawls.

Advertisement

Calling the victory a moment of collective pride, Soren said Jharkhand’s success in a national T20 tournament had set a new benchmark and would inspire young sportspersons across the state. He noted that athletes from Jharkhand have consistently excelled in cricket, hockey, archery and other disciplines at national and international levels.

The Chief Minister underlined the need to strengthen the sports ecosystem in the state, stressing that structured opportunities must be created to help talented players progress. He emphasised integrating sports at the school and college levels to ensure early identification and systematic grooming of promising athletes, assuring continued government support.

Highlighting the role of sports associations, Soren urged the JSCA to facilitate overseas exposure and training for players to help them adapt to different playing conditions and enhance performance. He also referred to the revival of traditional games alongside popular sports, noting that wider competitive platforms had opened new avenues for aspiring athletes.

Stressing the importance of regular competitions, the Chief Minister said tournaments should be organised consistently from the grassroots to the state level to identify and nurture talent capable of bringing distinction to Jharkhand and the country.

The meeting was attended by minister Sudivya Kumar, MLA Kalpana Soren, chief secretary Avinash Kumar, JSCA president Ajay Nath Shahdeo, vice-president Sanjay Pandey, secretary Saurabh Tiwary, joint secretary Shahbaz Nadeem, other association members, team players and support staff.