Patna: Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh chaired a high-level review meeting on Thursday at Vikas Bhawan, Patna, to assess ongoing sports infrastructure projects, athlete development programmes and the state’s long-term sports roadmap.
The meeting brought together senior officials including Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh, Secretary of Education and Sports Department Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, Director General of Bihar State Sports Authority Raveendran Shankaran, and representatives from multiple departments.
Dumri Sports City Project Reviewed
A key focus of the meeting was the proposed Dumri Sports City, planned over around 100 acres with a sanctioned budget of Rs 574 crore. The proposal has been forwarded to district authorities for land acquisition and further processing.
The Sports Minister said the project is expected to become a major hub for sports infrastructure and allied economic activity in Bihar. Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh said the project design should be aligned with national and international standards, suggesting engagement of professional consultancy before tendering.
He also directed phased construction and monthly progress reviews due to the project’s scale and long-term nature.
District Centres of Excellence Near Launch
The meeting reviewed District Centres of Excellence (DCOEs) in Arwal, Madhepura and Kishanganj, which are scheduled to become operational by June 15. These centres will provide residential training in Kabaddi, Badminton and Taekwondo.
Football-focused centres are also planned in Siwan, Munger and Jamui. Bihar State Sports Authority officials informed that athletes and coaches have already been identified and preparations completed.
The Development Commissioner set a deadline of September 30, 2026, for making all DCOEs fully functional.
Grassroots Sports Expansion
The review also covered Panchayat Sports Clubs and grassroots-level sports development. The Sports Minister stressed the need to strengthen participation at village level, while officials called for coordination between Sports and Panchayati Raj departments for implementation.
Expansion of Athlete Welfare Scheme
Officials discussed extending the “Medal Lao, Naukri Pao” scheme to include BCCI-selected senior Indian men’s and women’s cricket team players, in addition to Olympic medallists. If approved, eligible athletes could receive Level-9 government jobs under the policy.
Upcoming Sports Calendar Announced
The meeting reviewed Bihar’s sports calendar for 2026, including the India–New Zealand Rugby Series in Rajgir in November, Khelo India Asmita Women’s Weightlifting Championship in July–August, National Javelin Day on August 7, and FIH Pro League matches in December.
Infrastructure Monitoring and Action on Delays
The Development Commissioner directed strict action against contractors responsible for delays in ongoing projects under Pragati Yatra approvals. He also called for a joint review meeting with executing agencies.
Sports Action Plan and Education Integration
The proposed Sports Action Plan will be presented to NITI Aayog through the Chief Minister. Officials highlighted initiatives such as physical literacy tracking, talent identification programmes, coach certification systems and a unified wellness portal.
The Education and Sports Department informed that 4,818 physical education teachers have been appointed and around 17,000 teachers trained in yoga instruction across schools.
Major Infrastructure Projects Progressing
Construction of Rajgir International Stadium is targeted for completion by December 31, 2026. The stadium will have a seating capacity of around 40,000 and a revised cost of Rs 1,121 crore.
Officials also reported that 5,266 Panchayat sports grounds have been completed across the state, covering over half of Bihar’s panchayats.
The proposed redevelopment of B.P. Sinha Physical Education College in Patna was also reviewed, with plans for a PPP-based upgrade estimated at Rs 114 crore.
The Sports Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to building a structured sports ecosystem linking infrastructure, training, education and employment. She directed all departments to ensure timely execution of projects aimed at strengthening Bihar’s position in national sports development.
