Patna: The Bihar government inaugurated 12 Eklavya State Residential Sports Training Centres in eight districts, marking the first phase of an ambitious plan to strengthen grassroots sports development in the state.
The centres, equipped with upgraded infrastructure and residential facilities, have been opened in Buxar, Sitamarhi, Munger, Nalanda, Patna, Siwan, Kaimur and Begusarai. They form part of a broader proposal to establish 68 such institutions across Bihar, aimed at identifying and training young athletes from both rural and urban areas.
Ravindran Shankaran, director general of the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), said the initiative was a key component of the chief minister’s sports development programme. “The objective is to identify talent at an early age and provide systematic training along with accommodation, nutrition and modern sporting resources,” he said. “Long-term, scientific coaching will help athletes reach national and international standards.”
Each centre has been assigned specific disciplines:
- 🥋 Buxar: Kabaddi training for boys
- 🤼♀️ Sitamarhi: Kabaddi training for girls
- ⚽ Munger: Football coaching for boys
- 🎯 Nalanda: Shooting training for boys
- 🏑 Nalanda: Hockey training for girls
- 🤼 Patna: Wrestling training for boys
- 🤾♀️ Siwan: Handball training for girls
- 🏐 Kaimur: Volleyball training for boys
- 🤼 Kaimur: Wrestling training for boys
- 🏃♂️ Kaimur: Athletics training for boys
- 🥋 Begusarai: Taekwondo training for boys
Officials said the selection of locations, athletes and coaches for all 68 proposed centres has already been completed, with construction and organisational work under way at the remaining sites. Once fully operational, the network is expected to play a central role in building Bihar’s sports ecosystem and producing athletes capable of competing at the highest levels.
