Shailja Jha
Patna: In a significant stride towards promoting sports excellence, the Bihar State Sports Authority inaugurated the Khelo India Sepaktakara Small Center on Tuesday at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Kankarbagh, Patna. The inauguration ceremony, presided over by Ravindran Shankaran, Director General-cum-Chief Executive Officer of Bihar State Sports Authority, marked a crucial step in fostering young talent in the unique game of Sepaktakara.
Addressing the aspiring athletes in his inaugural speech, Shankaran expressed the uniqueness of Sepaktakara, highlighting the special physical abilities it demands. He commended the recent achievements of Sepaktakara players at both national and international levels, noting the game’s rising popularity in the state. Encouraging the selected players to dedicate themselves to regular training, Shankaran also discussed the potential career prospects within the sport.
The Khelo India Sepaktakara Small Center, a collaborative effort between the Sports Authority of India and Bihar State Sports Authority, operates as a non-residential, free training center. A total of 18 boys and 12 girls below the age of 14 from the Patna district have been selected to participate in this program.
Pankaj Kumar Raj, Director-cum-Secretary of Bihar State Sports Authority, graced the inaugural occasion as a special guest. The event, hosted by District Sports Officer Om Prakash and conducted by Abhishek Kumar, welcomed various dignitaries, including Sports Executive Rajendra Kumar and Sepaktakara Association of Bihar Secretary Karunesh Kumar. Trainer Ajit Kumar was also present, adding to the enthusiasm surrounding the launch of the Khelo India Sepaktakara Small Center.
