Patna: Bihar’s new sports minister, Shreyasi Singh, was formally welcomed on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by athletes, coaches and officials from the Bihar Olympic Association, the Bihar State Sports Authority and various sporting bodies. The event took place at the Bihar State Sports Authority’s indoor stadium.
Singh, who assumed charge earlier in the day, returned to the authority headquarters in the evening to meet athletes and officials and to familiarise herself with ongoing programmes. Addressing the gathering, she reflected on her journey from athlete to minister, saying the pride of taking charge outweighed even the weight of responsibility the role brings.
She said Bihar had earned increasing recognition at national and international events, crediting government support and the coordinated work of the Sports Authority, the sports department and affiliated associations. As an athlete herself, she added, she understood the needs and challenges players face and pledged to provide full support to address them.
Singh said one of her key goals was to ensure Bihar’s representation at future Olympics, adding that the government would extend all possible assistance to help athletes achieve podium finishes. Hard work, honesty and discipline, she said, remained essential for success.
To identify and nurture talent from across the state, Singh announced that the Bihar State Games would be held biennially from January to February, modelled on the National Games, with the aim of spotting promising athletes from the village level upwards.
Ravindran Shankar, director general and chief executive officer of the Bihar State Sports Authority, congratulated Singh and said it was a moment of pride that Bihar had appointed an international athlete as sports minister. He noted that Bihar was the first state in India to name a female athlete to the position and said her appointment had brought renewed energy to the sporting community. Under her leadership, he said, the state could look forward to reaching new heights.
