Rajgir’s Rising Star: Bihar’s First Sports University Aims For Global Recognition

Rajgir/Patna: Once best known for its ancient ruins and spiritual significance, Rajgir is now home to one of India’s most ambitious sporting ventures: Bihar’s first and the country’s sixth sports university. Nestled in the heart of the Rajgir Sports Complex, the institution is poised to place Bihar firmly on the global sporting map.

Developed in a phased manner by the Building Construction Department, the Rajgir Sports Complex-cum-Sports University is a sprawling modern facility that brings together cutting-edge infrastructure, athlete housing, and educational institutions under one roof. The complex, officials say, is not just a university — it’s a statement of intent.

Spread across the campus are facilities for 33 indoor and outdoor sports, from wrestling, judo and archery to cricket, football and athletics. Notably, the site also features a 50m x 25m Olympic-sized swimming pool and a world-class hockey turf, fitted with Australian-imported astro-turf and a German automated sprinkler system — a turf that already hosted the Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy and is set to welcome the Men’s Asia Cup in 2025.

“The Rajgir Sports Complex is an ambitious project, and we’ve ensured it matches national and international standards,” said Kumar Ravi, Secretary of the Building Construction Department. “Despite challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, our teams delivered it in time — it’s a symbol of what Bihar is capable of.”

The vision extends beyond the field. A newly built academic block now houses the Bihar Sports University administration along with lecture halls and a 242-seat auditorium. Residential facilities for students, staff and trainers include two hostels with a combined capacity of over 200 rooms, a 100-bed transit hostel, staff housing, and a fully equipped 324-seat dining facility.

Training halls, medical centres, and injury treatment provisions further reinforce the university’s aim of developing athletes holistically. Recent inaugurations included indoor courts for handball, basketball and volleyball, alongside the multipurpose halls that hosted five events during the Khelo India Youth Games.

Visually, the complex draws inspiration from the ancient Nalanda University, incorporating heritage motifs into a contemporary framework — a nod to Bihar’s past and future aspirations.

Construction is in its final phase, with a 40,000-seat international cricket stadium nearing completion. Once finished, it will round off an already world-class facility that aims to serve as both a national training hub and an international tournament venue.

“Our goal is to provide Bihar’s youth with a world-class platform,” said Ravi. “This is not just about sports — it’s about identity, ambition and opportunity.”