Patna: Efforts to host the first-ever Bihar State Games, structured on the model of the National Games, have gathered pace after the state’s top sports official reached out to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The proposal marks Bihar’s most ambitious drive yet to build a robust grassroots sporting ecosystem.
Ravindran Shankaran, Director General of the Bihar State Sports Authority, has written to IOA President PT Usha, informing her that the inaugural edition is planned for late January to the first week of February next year. The event, to be organised jointly with the Bihar Olympic Association, is expected to bring together athletes from across the state in a multi-sport format.
Usha Welcomes Move but Seeks Detailed Roadmap
In her response, PT Usha extended her best wishes and praised the initiative as “an important step towards strengthening Bihar’s sports ecosystem and encouraging grassroots sports talent.”
However, she emphasised that the IOA would require a detailed event plan, including the proposed schedule, list of sports, venue infrastructure, and the nature of assistance sought from the national body.
“We will provide guidance and coordination to ensure a safe, well-organised and successful event,” Usha added, underscoring the need for clear documentation before the IOA formalises its involvement.
Aim: Promote Talent From Every Village
The move follows a major announcement by Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh, who after assuming office declared that the Bihar State Games would be held every two years, mirroring the National Games cycle. Her stated goal is to identify, nurture and promote international-level talent from Bihar, ensuring pathways for athletes from the district and village levels to rise to national and global competition.
She said the biennial format would allow Bihar to build a “consistent and professional sporting structure capable of discovering talent from every corner of the state.”
A New Sporting Chapter for Bihar
If approved by the IOA, the State Games would mark a transformative milestone for Bihar, which has long sought to expand its sporting profile. The state hopes that the event — with its multi-sport structure, institutional backing and IOA supervision — will help build a sustainable talent pipeline, strengthen training infrastructure, and inspire broader youth participation.
The coming weeks will be crucial as preparations hinge on the IOA’s review of the detailed plan requested by PT Usha.
