Sportstar Focus Bihar Conclave: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary lays out roadmap for sports development, says change in mindset key

Sportstar Focus Bihar Conclave: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary lays out roadmap for sports development, says change in mindset key

The Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Samrat Choudhary, laid out the State government’s vision for the development of sports during Sportstar Focus Bihar Conclave here on Friday.

The wheels of development were set in motion in January last year when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar created a separate sports department. Until then, matters related to sports were handled by the art, culture and youth affairs department.

“Last January, we created a plan. Firstly, we decided to create a ‘khel gaon’ in each of the nine divisions in the State that would cater to sports such as cricket, football and hockey. In many places, we have started the construction of stadiums. We hosted an international-level women’s hockey tournament (Women’s Asian Champions Trophy) in Rajgirh. The whole world watched that tournament and it put the spotlight on the fact that Bihar can also host sports such as hockey,” Choudhary said.

He also highlighted the importance of a shift in mindset and moving away from the State’s obsession with academics.

“Bihar was known for the quality of education. In the UPSC exams, most of the students that pass are from Bihar and UP. We had created a mindset that if you study, you will be successful, and if you play sports, you will ruin your life. But the world has moved forward and we are trying to keep pace through technology. We have decided to build 6,500 playing fields simultaneously and we have set ourselves the target of establishing around 5000 by November 2025. We will also make youth clubs in school. We have created more than 5000 youth club committees. This is to ensure that in all the close to 8000 panchayats in the State there is adequate sports equipment. Once the whole process of establishing these youth clubs is complete, we will provide all the sports equipment in all the villages and panchayats so that a Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, or someone like our very own Shreyasi Singh can emerge from the villages of Bihar and make India proud,” Choudhary explained.

The recognition of the sports academy in Rajgirh – which hosted the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy last year – as a university by the Government of India was also a significant step for the development of sports in the State.

Choudhary also lauded the State government’s ‘Medal Lao Naukri Pao’ scheme, which involves the direct recruitment of outstanding athletes from Bihar in government jobs.

With Bihar set to host the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, Khelo India Games, Under-20 Rugby Sevens Asian Championship and the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup this year, Choudhary believes the future of sport in the State is bright.

“Just like Bihar has moved forward in education, Nitish Kumar is committed to ensure the children of Bihar also excel in sports,” Choudhary concluded.

Bihar Sports Minister Surendra Mehta also said that, under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sports was on the rise in the State.

The Sportstar Focus Bihar Conclave is presented by the Bihar State Sports Authority and the Department of Sports, Government of Bihar. Associate sponsors are Indian Oil Corporation Limited and State Bank of India. Great SportsTech is the technology partner, and KPMG is the knowledge partner.