Patna: The Bihar government has announced a major initiative to support young and emerging athletes in the state with the launch of a new scheme called Saksham and Prerna. The online portal for the scheme will open on January 1, making it easier for sportspersons to apply and receive benefits. Sports minister Shreyasi Singh said the scheme is a big step towards identifying hidden talent in Bihar and helping young players move forward in their sporting careers. She described it as a special gift for children and youth who are serious about sports.
Under the Saksham and Prerna scheme, children and young athletes involved in different sports will receive sponsorships and scholarships at various levels. The financial help will be given directly to athletes so that they can decide how best to use it for their development. The minister said the money can be spent on better training, hiring good coaches, buying modern sports equipment, travelling for competitions or meeting other important needs. The aim is to reduce financial pressure on families and allow talented players to focus fully on their sport.
The government is also working on improving sports infrastructure across Bihar to prepare athletes for high-level competitions, including the Olympics. Singh said a large badminton academy is being built in Bhagalpur, while a water sports academy will come up at Odhani Dam in Banka. Both projects are being developed according to international standards. She added that just as international hockey matches have been organised in Rajgir, Bihar plans to host international water sports events in the future, giving local athletes global exposure.
In addition to this, the sports minister spoke about plans to expand sports education through Eklavya schools. A proposal has been made to open 68 Eklavya schools across the state, focusing on nurturing sports talent from a young age. At present, 12 such schools are already functioning, and the remaining ones are expected to become operational within the current financial year. Singh said the government is inspired by the successful sports academy model of Madhya Pradesh and is trying to implement a similar system in Bihar.
During the interaction, Singh also commented on state politics, saying that leaders who stay away from the people lose public trust. She criticised the absence of the leader of the opposition during the assembly session, calling it a negative sign for democracy. When asked a personal question about her marriage, the minister responded with a smile, saying she would marry when she finds the right person, before returning to the topic of strengthening Bihar’s sports future.
