Bihar is poised for a significant transformation in its sports ecosystem, with ambitious plans to bolster infrastructure at the grassroots level and nurture athletic talent across the state.
The government’s multi-pronged strategy involves developing playgrounds in nearly all panchayats, constructing modern stadiums, and launching comprehensive scholarship programmes, aiming to cultivate a vibrant sporting culture. These initiatives, including proposals under the ‘Khelo India’ scheme and the establishment of the Bihar Sports University, signify a strategic investment in human capital and community well-being, contributing to the development of more active, gender-neutral, and equitable cities and rural areas.
A cornerstone of this extensive sports development agenda is the commitment to establish playgrounds in a remarkable 8,018 out of 8,053 panchayats across Bihar. This widespread development at the village level is crucial for providing budding athletes with accessible infrastructure to practice and hone their skills. Currently, 3,079 playgrounds have been completed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), demonstrating a synergy between employment generation and infrastructure development. Work is actively progressing on an additional 5,742 playgrounds at the panchayat level, signifying robust implementation towards achieving this ambitious target. This decentralised approach to sports infrastructure is key to fostering talent from diverse backgrounds and ensuring equitable access.
Beyond the grassroots, Bihar is making significant strides in developing higher-tier sports infrastructure. Every divisional headquarters in the state is slated to feature an international-standard indoor stadium, ensuring year-round training opportunities for athletes regardless of weather conditions. To date, 25 ‘Khel Bhawans’ have been completed at the district level, providing well-equipped training centres across the state. Furthermore, a substantial ₹100 crore sports complex is earmarked for development at Punpun, near Patna, with land acquisition currently underway. Land has also been identified for constructing sports complexes in Purnea and Saharsa, fulfilling Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s commitment during his Pragati Yatra, with administrative approvals already secured for these projects.
The expansion of sports facilities extends to various divisions, albeit with some administrative hurdles. Land for developing sports facilities in the Darbhanga division has been identified, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is in preparation. Similarly, lands at MIT and Tilka Manjhi University have been identified for sports facilities in the Tirhut and Bhagalpur divisions, respectively. However, the Bihar Sports Authority (BSSA) is currently awaiting “No Objection Certificates” (NOCs) from the concerned authorities for these specific sites, highlighting the procedural steps involved in large-scale infrastructure projects. Despite these minor delays, the overarching momentum indicates a strong push for comprehensive sports development.
Bihar’s commitment to sports is also evident in its talent nurturing initiatives. Under the ‘Khelo India’ scheme, a total of 116 proposals from various districts, collectively valued at ₹930.50 crore, have been submitted to the Central government for approval. The state also aims to construct an outdoor stadium in every Block under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Khel Vikas Yojana.’ Of 374 approved stadiums under this scheme, 252 have been fully completed, and work on 64 is in progress, with plans sanctioned for 61 more. To further support athletes, the Nitish Kumar government has initiated a sports scholarship scheme, with ₹7.15 crore distributed among 128 talented athletes in 2024-25.
A flagship initiative, ‘Mashaal,’ touted as the world’s largest talent hunt competition in sports, is being organised at the school level. This programme targets boys and girls under 14 and under 16 from government schools, aiming to identify, promote, nurture, and hone their sporting skills in five disciplines, with the ultimate goal of preparing them for international competitions. With over 50 lakh children from 37,000 schools participating, ‘Mashaal’ provides high-level training, coaching, and nutritious food, embodying a holistic approach to athlete development. Complementing these efforts, the state’s first and the country’s sixth Bihar Sports University in Rajgir is set to become functional from the 2025-26 session, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programmes in various sports-related disciplines. Additionally, the iconic Moinul Haque Stadium is slated for redevelopment under an MoU with BCCI, and a modern ₹750 crore sports complex in Rajgir, boasting facilities for 24 disciplines, further solidifies Bihar’s aspiration to make its presence felt on the international sporting stage.
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