Muzaffarpur: The Bihar government has announced the opening of residential Eklavya training centres for young athletes in Muzaffarpur, offering girls weightlifting and boys basketball programmes. Children aged 8 to 14 will be eligible for free training, with the aim of promoting fitness, discipline, and national-level sports recognition.
The Eklavya State Residential Weightlifting Sports Training Centre for girls will be based at the Sikandarpur sports complex. While plans for the centre were approved and funded last year, including the selection of players and procurement of equipment, its opening had been delayed. The government has now renewed its directive to commence operations.
Rajendra Kumar, Director of Physical Education and District Sports Officer, said the initiative seeks to encourage girls to adopt a healthy lifestyle through sport and to provide pathways to national and international recognition. Non-residential training will also be available for girls from Muzaffarpur district.
National-level coach K. Loganathan, appointed by the Bihar State Sports Authority, will oversee training. Participants must submit an Aadhaar card, birth certificate, and two passport-sized photographs.
In parallel, a residential Eklavya basketball training centre for boys will be established at a local school in Muzaffarpur, with residential facilities. Officials are currently evaluating suitable schools to host the programme.
