Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar officially launched the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy (Women) Gaurav Yatra during a ceremony at 1 Anne Marg. The event marks a significant milestone as it coincides with the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, being hosted in Bihar for the first time from 11 to 20 November at the International Sports Complex in Rajgir.
The Chief Minister unveiled the trophy before handing it over to girls from the Eklavya Sports School who participated in the Gaurav Yatra. These young athletes honored the Chief Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Sports Minister, and senior officials with hockey sticks as a gesture of appreciation. Following this, he inspected the specially prepared bus for the Yatra and officially flagged it off.
Running from 14 October to 10 November, the Trophy Gaurav Yatra will traverse all 38 districts of Bihar, as well as the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, and Jharkhand. This initiative aims to promote a sports culture in the state, boost female participation in sports, and ensure the success of this prestigious international competition while instilling pride in India’s national sport, hockey.
The Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 will see participation from six nations: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, with all matches held at the hockey ground in Rajgir. As the reigning champions, India currently holds the trophy, adding to the significance of this event. The Gaurav Yatra will include programs at each location to welcome and honor the trophy, fostering local engagement and enthusiasm.
This international sports competition reflects the government’s commitment to the comprehensive development of sports and women’s empowerment in Bihar. Earlier, Nitish Kumar inaugurated the International Sports Academy and the Astro Turf Hockey Ground at the Rajgir Sports Complex on 29 August and unveiled the mascot and logo for the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy on 5 October.
The launch event was attended by Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Sports Minister Surendra Mehta, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar, Director General of Police Alok Raj, and several other senior officials, all of whom were present to support this initiative that emphasizes the importance of sports in society.
