Bihar's Sports Development Gains Praise from Olympic Champion Abhinav Bindra

Bihar's Commitment to Sports Infrastructure

On Sunday, Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra expressed his admiration for the prioritization of sports in Bihar, commending the state government for its efforts in enhancing sports infrastructure.

Speaking to the media during the Bihar Sports Conclave, a collaborative event organized by the state government and a prominent sports publication, Bindra remarked, "The advancements in sports within Bihar are commendable. The state's sports minister, who shares my background in shooting, is genuinely dedicated to fostering sports development."

Bindra, who made history as the first Indian to secure an individual gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, also acknowledged the contributions of officials in promoting sports and facilitating such conclaves, which he believes create valuable opportunities for discussion.

"It brings me joy to witness sports being prioritized in Bihar. I extend my best wishes to everyone involved in the mission to enhance and promote sports throughout the state and the nation," he stated.

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, who attended the event, praised the Bihar government's initiatives aimed at establishing a robust sporting ecosystem.

Khadse stressed the importance of collaboration between the central and state governments to further the promotion of sports.

Shreyasi Singh, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist and representative for India at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, emphasized that the Bihar sports department is providing athletes with respect and a suitable platform.

"We are focusing on two key areas: nurturing amateur athletes at the grassroots level and developing international and national-standard stadiums. The way Bihar has hosted international events recently is promising, and we plan to host even more in the future," she asserted.

The state minister highlighted the integration of Eklavya centers into schools across India, ensuring that students can pursue both education and sports training simultaneously.

"In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has established centers of excellence for sports in every district. Our goal is to connect these centers with universities statewide, allowing education and sports to complement each other," she explained.

The minister also mentioned that the Bihar government is in the process of creating a sports city and has already constructed international-standard stadiums, including one in Rajgir.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions hosting the 2036 Olympics in India. We must contribute to making that vision a reality. Our aim is to develop a system that enables more athletes from Bihar to join the national Olympic team," she concluded.