Mahasamund’s Rising Star Captains U-16 Team to Historic Victory in Malaysia, Inspiring a New Generation
Published on: September 27, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
Chhattisgarh’s sporting landscape lit up with pride as 15-year-old Divya Rangari from Mahasamund district captained India’s U-16 women’s basketball team to a triumphant gold medal at the Asian Women’s Basketball Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 24. In a nail-biting final against hosts Malaysia, Divya’s squad clinched a 72-68 victory, marking India’s first-ever title in the tournament and etching the young athlete’s name in national folklore.
Hailing from a modest farming family in rural Mahasamund, Divya’s journey is a testament to grit and grassroots talent. Discovered at age 10 during a local school tournament, she honed her skills at the state-run Sports Academy in Raipur, overcoming financial hurdles with scholarships from the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association. In the championship, Divya dazzled with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and five steals across the tournament, earning her the MVP award.
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“This win is for every girl in Chhattisgarh dreaming big. Basketball taught me resilience—on and off the court,” she said post-match, dedicating the medal to her parents who sold family land to fund her training.The victory has sparked jubilation across the state, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announcing a ₹5 lakh cash reward and a job reservation under the sports quota for Divya.
Sports Minister Ashok Juneja lauded her as “Chhattisgarh’s golden girl,” pledging to expand basketball infrastructure in tribal areas. Nationally, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) hailed the feat as a milestone, boosting India’s ranking in junior women’s categories.
Divya’s story resonates amid Chhattisgarh’s efforts to promote sports for girl child empowerment, with enrollment in state academies up 30% since 2023. As celebrations continue, her triumph inspires budding athletes, proving that small-town dreams can conquer continental stages.
