We aim to get more Bihar athletes on the Indian team for the 2028 Olympics.

• Bihar State Government’s comprehensive approach to sports development, including grooming youth, infrastructure development, and support for elite athletes, has led to significant progress.

• Bihar has identified disciplines that could produce international athletes and bring glory to the country in multi-sport events.

• The Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA) has been instrumental in these efforts.

• BSSA director general, Raveendran Sankaran, emphasized the mandate to ensure Bihar athletes are part of the Indian contingent in the Olympics by 2028.

• The BSSA plans to increase the number of athletes from Bihar in the 2028 Olympics and aim for a medal in 2032 and 2036.

• The Bihar Sports University, built on 92.6 acres, is the first of its kind and is currently 90% completed.

• The State Sports Academy, Rajgir, will cater to 23 disciplines, both indoor and outdoor.

• The Chief Minister identified a large strip of land for an airport in Rajgir, with the goal of hosting an international event.

• The National Institute of Sports (Patiala) offers diploma courses for six weeks, but plans to introduce short courses in sports psychology, sports nutrition, or sports physiotherapy.

• The vision for the sports academy is to cater to the entire East Zone and the North Eastern states, with Kolkata as a potential hub.

Bihar Government’s Talent Scouting Programs and Plans

Strategic Approach to Talent Selection

• Bihar Government has strategically selected sports like volleyball, basketball, and kabaddi that are part of the Asian Games, Commonwealth, or Olympics.

• These sports are chosen for their immediate results and are not easily scouted by other states.

Talent Selection in Rugby Sevens and Fencing

• Rugby sevens was scouted by coaches from South Africa and Sri Lanka, especially from the rural belt.

• The Indian team has won medals in the National Games and has been part of the Asian Rugby Championship.

• Akash, an athlete in fencing, represented India in the Asian Games after training in Italy.

Talent Shifting in Sepak Takraw

• The Bihar Government has shifted volleyball players to sepak takraw, resulting in three boys joining the Indian team and going to the World Championship.

Plan for Talent Identification and Grooming

• The Bihar Government conducted the National Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet (NIDJAM) to scout talents from all over the State.

• The plan is to conduct one of the largest talent scouting programmes, Mashal, in the State, scouting talent in 40,000 primary and high schools.

• A scholarship scheme has been implemented, with a one-time ₹3 lakh sports scholarship per year for selected athletes.

Recruitment Policy and Funding

• A new recruitment policy, Medal lao, naukri pao (Win a medal, get a job), has been implemented.

• Cash rewards for athletes have been given to them for participation in the Asian Games and the Olympics.

State Level Leagues and Live Telecasts

• State level leagues have started in kabaddi, volleyball, and football.

• Live telecasts have been used to spread sports fever and train athletes to play with crowd pressure.

Budget Increase

• The BSSA’s budget has increased from ₹30 crore to ₹680 crore.

• The commissionerate level plans to build an international standard indoor sports complex for 10-11 indoor games.• By the time the Los Angeles Olympics occur, Bihar will have enough sports infrastructure for players to play and train.