Cricket Legend and Bharat Ratna awardee Sachin Tendulkar, said that cricket grounds are being developed in 50 schools across the country with the aim of training nearly 5,000 children into better cricketers. Tendulkar arrived in Jagdalpur on Wednesday afternoon by a special flight along with his family. A large crowd gathered at Maa Danteshwari Airport to catch a glimpse of the iconic cricketer. Speaking to the media, Tendulkar said that the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation is extending full support to educational institutions under this initiative. As a part of the programme, he visited Chintnar School in Bastar to review cricket training facilities and expressed happiness about being there. Chintnar village, located about 10 kilometre from Barsur in South Bastar along the banks of the Indravati River, is where tribal children are being trained in cricket by the Mann Deshi Foundation.

 

Tendulkar visited Bastar on the foundation’s invitation. His special flight landed at 12:55 pm, and he left for Chintnar by road at 1:07 pm along with his family. News of his visit had already spread across the city, drawing a massive crowd of fans to the airport. Tight security arrangements were made to manage the situation. Senior officials, including Bastar Collector Aakash Chhikara, IG Sundarraj P, SP Shalabh Sinha, and Airport Director Videsh Kumar Gupta, were present to welcome him. There was visible excitement among cricket enthusiasts, from senior players to young children, who gathered hoping to meet the legend. While many wished to get autographs or present Bastar art to him, strict security prevented most from getting close. However, two children, Dron Verma and Gagan Nureti, managed to meet Tendulkar. As he sat in his car, the children showed him their bats and requested autographs. Tendulkar obliged, signing their bats and leaving them overjoyed, making them the centre of attention among fans.