Patna: Bihar will host the State Games in
Patna from September 27 to October 3 this year, marking the first time the event is being organised by the Bihar Olympic Association.
The week-long event will feature competitions in 24 sports disciplines, including athletics, football, kabaddi, hockey, wrestling, badminton, boxing, and shooting. Preparations for the Games are currently underway, officials said.
Ajay Kumar, president of the Bihar Olympic Association, described the State Games as the largest sporting event in the state. He said the event would represent an important step in strengthening Bihar’s sporting ecosystem.
First State Games Under Bihar Olympic Association
According to organisers, around 5,500 athletes, 500 officials, and 750 volunteers are expected to take part in the event.
Ajay Kumar said the association is working on arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the Games. He added that the event would provide athletes from across Bihar with a competitive platform at the state level.
Twenty-Four Sports Disciplines Included
The sports to be organised during the State Games include athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, lawn bowls, boxing, cycling, fencing, football, hockey, judo, kabaddi, kho-kho, rugby, shooting, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, and yoga.
Officials said the inclusion of a wide range of disciplines is aimed at encouraging participation from athletes across different sporting backgrounds.
Focus on National Games Preparation
Ravindran Sankaran, Director General of the Bihar State Sports Authority, said the State Games are being organised with the upcoming National Games in mind.
The next National Games are scheduled to be held in Meghalaya in February or March next year.
Sankaran said the state plans to conduct the State Games two to three months before the National Games to identify athletes and prepare them through dedicated training camps.
He said selected athletes would receive specialised coaching aimed at improving Bihar’s medal prospects at the national level.
Platform for Talent Identification
Ajay Kumar said the State Games would also help identify emerging sporting talent from across the state.
He said the event is expected to create opportunities for athletes to progress to larger national and international competitions in the future, while contributing to the growth of sports in Bihar.
