Bihar CM launches ‘world’s largest’ sports talent search competition
Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday launched sports talent search contest, the ‘Bihar Sports Talent Search Competition’, which he claimed is the world’s largest, by lighting the traditional lamp during an event held at the Indoor Stadium of Pataliputra Sports Complex in the state capital.
The chief minister also awarded scholarships of Rs 20 lakh each per annum to five outstanding athletes for receiving better training under the Bihar Sports Scholarship Scheme. He also distributed sports kits among the athletes.
During the opening ceremony, the Bihar girls’ Wushu team gave a live demonstration of ‘Taolu’ and ‘Wall Mounting’. A short documentary on the ‘Bihar Sports Talent Search Competition’ was screened in front of the CM. The programme began with the national anthem, and the athletes took a group photo with the CM.
“The ‘Bihar Sports Talent Search Competition’ is an extremely important and ambitious scheme aligned with the state govt’s commitment to the holistic development of sports and athletes. The primary aim is to promote the development of sports culture in the state. Through this competition, talented school students and out-of-school athletes will be identified and provided with better training and resources to become national and international-level players, with the goal of winning medals for the state and country in the 2032 and 2036 Olympic games,” a communique issued from the chief minister’s office (CMO) on Monday said.
“Approximately 60 lakh athletes from around 40,000 govt secondary and higher secondary schools of the state will participate in this competition. Talented athletes outside the schools will also have the opportunity to participate in the competition. The athletes will be selected for block-level, district-level, divisional-level, and state-level competitions. Competitions will be held in athletics, kabaddi, football, and volleyball. Athletics will include running, long jump, and cricket ball throw. This competition will be organised for both boys and girls in the under-14 and under-16 age categories,” the communique added.
“The competition is being organised under the joint aegis of the Bihar State Sports Authority, sports department, education department, SCERT, and Bihar Education Project Council. Various level winners in this competition will receive medals, e-certificates, and a total cash prize of Rs 10 crore. Additionally, participating athletes will be given sports kits (bags, T-shirts, instrument boxes, etc.) as incentives. A portal is being prepared to receive applications from participating athletes, where interested participants can apply,” the communique said.
State’s water resources and parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, sports minister Surendra Mehta, chief minister’s principal secretary Deepak Kumar, chief minister’s principal secretary S Siddharth, and sports department principal secretary B Rajender and many other senior officers of the state govt were present on the occasion.
The Economic Times