Raipur (Chhattisgarh), 06 October 2026: Sspark Sports & Entertainment, India’s ultimate force in sports ecosystem and event management, has been awarded the mandate by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Chhattisgarh, to organise and manage the inaugural edition of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League (CHL).
The league is proposed to be held from 21st October to 1st November 2026 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur. The franchise-based property will feature six teams representing different regions of Chhattisgarh and is being developed as a professional platform to provide players from the state with greater competitive exposure and opportunities to play alongside established Indian hockey talent.
The CHL was officially launched in Raipur on 25th August, with the league’s logo, mascot and tagline unveiled by Shri Arun Sao, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Chhattisgarh. The league has been sanctioned by Hockey India and becomes India’s first-ever franchise-based state hockey league with a strong focus on developing Chhattisgarh’s hockey ecosystem.
As the appointed event and league management partner, Sspark will be responsible for the end-to-end management and commercial development of the property. Its mandate will cover franchise acquisition and management, sponsorship and commercial partnerships, marketing and brand development, media and public relations, digital and social media, player and team management, event operations, venue management, match-day operations, production, fan engagement and overall league administration.
The company will also work closely with the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare – Government of Chhattisgarh, Hockey India, Hockey Chhattisgarh, participating franchises, players, sponsors, broadcasters and other stakeholders to establish the league’s operational and commercial framework.
“The Chhattisgarh Hockey League is an exciting opportunity to build a meaningful sporting property from the ground up with it being India’s first-ever state-run hockey league. Chhattisgarh has a strong hockey culture and a deep pool of talent, and the league will enable us to provide that talent with the right platform, competitive environment, exposure and professional ecosystem required to progress further. We are delighted to partner with the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare on this ambitious initiative and look forward to bringing our experience across league management, sports operations, commercial development and fan engagement to build a property that can grow sustainably over the years. What makes this an exciting opportunity for Sspark is the prospect of replicating world-class delivery to hockey fans around Chhattisgarh and all of India.”
Mr. Rajeev Khanna, Founder & Chairman, Sspark Sports & Entertainment
The tournament will also have a strong development focus, with player identification and grassroots initiatives being integrated into the wider league ecosystem. The objective is to create a pathway through which players from Chhattisgarh can gain greater exposure to high-level competition and learn from experienced players.
The CHL will see all six teams competing in a league format before the top four teams progress to the semifinal stages. A women’s exhibition match is also proposed as part of the opening-day programme. The league’s branding, mascot and tagline have been designed to connect the property with Chhattisgarh’s sporting and cultural identity.
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About Sspark Sports & Entertainment
Sspark Sports & Entertainment is a leading sports management, marketing and consulting company specializing in sports operations, league and event management, venue operations, sports IP development, sponsorship strategy, talent management and sports tourism. Founded by sports industry veteran Rajeev Khanna, Sspark works with sports federations, franchises, brands, government bodies and rights holders to build, manage and scale sporting properties.
Backed by over 20 years of industry experience, Sspark has successfully delivered projects across cricket, kabaddi and other sporting disciplines, working with marquee organizations including Rajasthan Royals, BCCI, Global T10, Legends League Cricket, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Red Bull, Rajasthan State Sports Council and UAE Royals. The company has also played a key role in managing and executing major sporting properties such as the Uttarakhand Premier League and international T10 leagues, while contributing to grassroots sports development and athlete engagement initiatives across India.