Author: Bihar Say | Amrita |

Bihar has always been known for its rich cultural heritage, and now, it’s making strides in the world of sports. The Bihar Sports Department, formed on January 9, 2024, has completed one impactful year. In this short time, the department has laid a strong foundation to nurture, promote, and empower the state’s talented athletes. Let’s explore the major milestones and initiatives that have shaped Bihar’s sports landscape.

Employment Opportunities for Athletes

The state government has made remarkable strides in creating new job opportunities for athletes. Under the “Medaal Lao, Naukri Pao Yojana,” athletes who have earned national and international medals have been awarded government jobs. So far, 71 such athletes have been given job placements. Additionally, the recruitment process for 582 sports trainers has begun, which is another boost for the sporting community in Bihar.

Mashal 2024: World’s Largest Sports Talent Hunt

To identify and nurture sporting talent across the state, the “Mashal 2024” campaign has been launched. This global-scale initiative aims to discover talent among around 60 lakh students from middle and high schools in Bihar. The competition will focus on five sports disciplines, and promising athletes will receive nutritional support and state-of-the-art training to help them become future champions. This initiative reflects Bihar’s commitment to improving its sports infrastructure and athlete development.

Bihar Women Shine at the Asian Champions Trophy

In a landmark achievement, the 2024 Asian Women’s Champions Trophy was held at the Rajgir Sports Academy from November 11 to 20, where the Indian Women’s Hockey Team emerged as champions. This event added another feather to Bihar’s cap in terms of hosting international sports events.

Scholarships to Boost Athletes’ Future

Recognizing the importance of providing financial aid to promising athletes, the Bihar government has introduced a comprehensive sports scholarship scheme. Recently, 123 emerging athletes have been selected under this program. Each scholarship provides ₹5 lakh per athlete annually. Additionally, the “Utkarsh” and “Prerna” scholarships are currently under selection, aimed at further elevating athletes’ careers.

Construction of International Standard Sports Infrastructure

The Bihar government is committed to building world-class sports infrastructure. Sports complexes are being constructed at each divisional headquarters, while outdoor stadiums are being developed at the block level. The state is also working on creating sports clubs in every village and urban area to further promote sports at the grassroots level.

Bihar Athletes Shine Globally

Bihar’s athletes continue to make the state proud on international platforms. Goldie Kumari from Nalanda bagged two medals at the 2024 World Ability Youth Games in Thailand, earning a gold in discus throw and a bronze in javelin throw. She has also been selected for the prestigious Prime Minister’s National Child Award 2024.

In December 2024, Bihar’s athletes performed outstandingly at the 68th School Games Karate U17 Championship in New Delhi, winning 2 gold and 5 bronze medals.

The Bihar Rugby teams also achieved great success in January 2025 at the 68th National School Games held at Pataliputra Sports Complex, securing championships in both the girls’ and boys’ categories.

Recognizing Excellence: The Sports Honors

On National Sports Day, August 29, 2024, a total of 644 athletes and coaches were honored with ₹7.48 crores in awards during the “Sports Honors Ceremony.” This event celebrates the hard work and achievements of Bihar’s best in sports.

Rajgir Sports Academy & Bihar Sports University: A New Era in Sports Education

2024 marked the opening of the Rajgir Sports Academy, which offers training in 23 different sports disciplines. Bihar also inaugurated its Sports University, where future courses in sports education and physical training will be offered to prepare the next generation of athletes and coaches.

Exciting Events for 2025 and Beyond

Bihar is gearing up for several major international sports events in the upcoming years. These include:

• March 7-12, 2025: Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Rajgir (Nalanda)
• March 18-26, 2025: World Sepak Takraw Championships in Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna
• April 14-May 14, 2025: Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India Para Games in Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, and Munger
• August 8-11, 2025: Under-20 Asian Rugby 7’s Championship in Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna
• August 28-December 8, 2025: Hero Men’s Asian Hockey Championship in Rajgir (Nalanda)

Stay Informed!

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