Planting Seed for Tomorrow’s Champions – Barmer’s First Rural Sports Complex under construction with ₹8 Crore Investment
The stadium will offer modern facilities for rural youth, especially girls, with a focus on
training athletes for national a n d international competitions. I t aims t o empower
local talent and foster a strong sports culture.
When Dreams Outgrow Dusty Grounds
In villages like Chawa, talent is abundant but opportunity is not.
For decades, children with speed in their legs, fire in their eyes, and fight in their hearts were left behind because:
Schools lacked basic playgrounds, let alone training facilities
No physical education teachers were appointed in rural blocks
Girls were denied the right to play altogether
Sports was seen as a Time Pass, not a legitimate career path
What remained was a story repeated across rural India, one where ability suffocates in neglect, and where the absence of infrastructure becomes the death of ambition.
A generation of potential champions was being lost.
We knew we had to build more than a stadium; we had to build belief.
Turning Barmer’s Daughters into India’s Champions
Under the vision of Dr. Ruma Devi and the foundation’s commitment to gender equity and grassroots empowerment, the Ruma Devi – Sugdi Devi Sports Complex was launched a first-of-its-kind rural sports infrastructure project in Barmer, set to be developed in 5 phases with a total investment of ₹8 crores.
With the foundation stone laid by Indian cricketer Chetan Sharma, this project is more than brick and mortar it's a symbol of transformation.
Key elements of the movement:
A sprawling modern sports complex being built on 28 bigha of land in Chawa village
Includes a track and field arena, indoor hall, kabaddi courts, cricket nets, hostel, and training center
Full-time appointment of a sports coach for the local school under the Foundation’s initiative
Focus on training girls in disciplines where Barmer historically had zero participation
Community-wide mobilization to bring sports out of textbooks and into everyday village life
This is not a borrowed model from urban cities.
This is a rural-rooted, future-facing facility, built to suit the climate, culture, and courage of Barmer’s youth.
A Stadium of Stories Waiting to Be Written
While construction is underway, the transformation has already begun:
A dedicated physical education teacher is now training students in Chawa for the first time in decades
Schools that never prioritized sports are now holding regular practice sessions
Girls who once sat on sidelines are now first in line for tryouts
Local enthusiasm has drawn attention from sports authorities, state bodies, and CSR supporters
National athletes and coaches have begun visiting the site, committing to workshops and mentoring
And soon, when the first girl from Chawa walks into that stadium wearing spikes and carrying a dream, Barmer will rise with her.
This is not just about medals.
It’s about dignity, discipline, and direction for thousands of rural children who’ve never seen a podium but have always carried the spirit of champions.
This is about leveling the playing field, literally and socially.
Because in every desert village, there is a child who could go to the Olympics.
All they need is a track to run on and someone who believes they belong on it.
