Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the world’s largest sports talent search initiative, the ‘Bihar Khel Pratibha Khoj Competition’, at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna on Monday. The event marked a significant step toward the state’s mission to promote sports and identify young talent with the potential to compete at the international level.
During the ceremony, five outstanding athletes were awarded scholarships of Rs. 20 lakh each under the Chief Minister’s Bihar Sports Scholarship Scheme to pursue advanced training. The Chief Minister also distributed sports kits to participating players. The event featured a live Taulu and Wall Mounting performance by the Bihar Girls Wushu Team and a screening of a documentary on the sports talent search initiative.
The competition, launched under the joint aegis of the Bihar State Sports Authority, Sports Department, Education Department, SCERT, and Bihar Education Project Council, aims to involve around 60 lakh players from 40,000 government schools across Bihar, as well as out-of-school athletes. Participants will compete in disciplines like athletics, kabaddi, football, and volleyball at block, district, division, and state levels. The initiative seeks to identify and nurture talent to represent India at the 2032 and 2036 Olympic Games.
Speaking at the event, CM Nitish emphasized the importance of developing a robust sports culture in Bihar. “Through this initiative, we aim to prepare our youth for global competitions and bring glory to the state and nation,” he said.
Rewards and Incentives
The competition will offer cash prizes totaling Rs. 10 crore, alongside medals and e-certificates. At the block level, the top three athletes in each category will receive Rs. 1,000, Rs. 600, and Rs. 400 respectively. District-level winners will be awarded Rs. 2,500, Rs. 1,500, and Rs. 1,000, while state-level winners will earn Rs. 5,000, Rs. 3,000, and Rs. 2,000. Additionally, all participants will receive sports kits, including bags, T-shirts, and equipment.
A dedicated portal is being developed to facilitate player registration, ensuring broad participation.
Building Sports Infrastructure
Bihar’s ambitious program reflects the state government’s commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure and providing holistic support to athletes. Chief Minister Kumar highlighted the development of residential facilities for players, including hostels and training centers, as part of this broader vision.
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Sports Minister Surendra Mehta, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and officials from the Chief Minister’s office and Sports Department. Thousands of young athletes gathered to participate in the historic initiative, which aims to transform Bihar into a hub for sports excellence.
