From grassroots to glory: How Bihar shone on global sports stage | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: The year 2024 proved to be a transformative one for sports in Bihar, a state often overshadowed by economic and political challenges. From extraordinary individual performances to major initiatives by the govt, the state added feather after feather to its cap, positioning itself on the national and international sports map.
Jalaluddin Ansari, a para-cyclist, clinched gold at the Asian Track Cycling Championship in New Delhi. Recognised under the govt’s “Medal Lao, Naukri Pao” scheme, Jalaluddin secured a govt job, solidifying the state’s commitment to nurturing its champions.
In para athletics, Goldie Kumari from Harnaut, Nalanda, created history by bagging gold in discus throw and bronze in javelin at the World Abilitysport Youth Games in Thailand.
Patna’s Mahi Swetraj, hailed as India’s fastest woman swimmer, continued her golden streak by winning three gold medals at the 77th Senior National Swimming Championship in Mangaluru. Her achievements also earned her the prestigious position of sub-inspector under the state’s sports scheme.
Meanwhile, Khushi Kumari from Siwan brought pride to Bihar by being selected as the goalkeeper for the Indian women’s football team.
The cricketing world was abuzz with the rise of 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the youngest player ever to feature in the IPL. His scintillating performances not only earned him a spot in the Indian U-19 team for the championship in Qatar but also forced seasoned cricketers to take notice. Leading India to the finals with a 36-ball 67, Vaibhav showcased a fearless batting style that captivated fans. “Vaibhav’s selection in the IPL is just the tip of the iceberg. He has a very long way to go,” said Bihar Ranji coach Pramod Kumar.
Team events also brought Bihar into the spotlight. The Indian women’s team secured a 3-0 victory over Japan in a historic final at the newly inaugurated Rajgir stadium.
At the 39th Junior National Championship in Odisha, Bihar’s young athletes left a lasting impression. The quartet of Huzefa Qaisar, Kartik Kumar, Setu Mishra and Rahul Kumar broke records in the 4x100m relay while Rohit and Alam set benchmarks in the triathlon. Devyansh’s shotput performance and Dev Raj’s 60m sprint both established new national records.
The state govt matched the athletes’ energy with visionary initiatives. The Rajgir stadium, a state-of-the-art facility, became a symbol of Bihar’s sporting ambitions. “Odisha set a precedent and now Bihar is following suit. This stadium will pave the way for a new generation of players,” former Indian hockey player Ajitesh Roy said.
The launch of the Prerna scheme showed the govt’s dedication to sports development. Under the programme, players received free sports gear, nutrition and insurance coverage of Rs 3 lakh each. CM Nitish Kumar also launched Mashal, a statewide talent hunt at the Patliputra Stadium in Patna on Dec 9.
In addition, the state announced plans to construct Khel Bhawans for indoor games in every district and indoor sports complexes across all nine commissionerates. Bihar State Sports Authority DG Ravindran Sankaran said land for these facilities has already been identified.
Jalaluddin Ansari, a para-cyclist, clinched gold at the Asian Track Cycling Championship in New Delhi. Recognised under the govt’s “Medal Lao, Naukri Pao” scheme, Jalaluddin secured a govt job, solidifying the state’s commitment to nurturing its champions.
In para athletics, Goldie Kumari from Harnaut, Nalanda, created history by bagging gold in discus throw and bronze in javelin at the World Abilitysport Youth Games in Thailand.
Patna’s Mahi Swetraj, hailed as India’s fastest woman swimmer, continued her golden streak by winning three gold medals at the 77th Senior National Swimming Championship in Mangaluru. Her achievements also earned her the prestigious position of sub-inspector under the state’s sports scheme.
Meanwhile, Khushi Kumari from Siwan brought pride to Bihar by being selected as the goalkeeper for the Indian women’s football team.
The cricketing world was abuzz with the rise of 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the youngest player ever to feature in the IPL. His scintillating performances not only earned him a spot in the Indian U-19 team for the championship in Qatar but also forced seasoned cricketers to take notice. Leading India to the finals with a 36-ball 67, Vaibhav showcased a fearless batting style that captivated fans. “Vaibhav’s selection in the IPL is just the tip of the iceberg. He has a very long way to go,” said Bihar Ranji coach Pramod Kumar.
Team events also brought Bihar into the spotlight. The Indian women’s team secured a 3-0 victory over Japan in a historic final at the newly inaugurated Rajgir stadium.
At the 39th Junior National Championship in Odisha, Bihar’s young athletes left a lasting impression. The quartet of Huzefa Qaisar, Kartik Kumar, Setu Mishra and Rahul Kumar broke records in the 4x100m relay while Rohit and Alam set benchmarks in the triathlon. Devyansh’s shotput performance and Dev Raj’s 60m sprint both established new national records.
The state govt matched the athletes’ energy with visionary initiatives. The Rajgir stadium, a state-of-the-art facility, became a symbol of Bihar’s sporting ambitions. “Odisha set a precedent and now Bihar is following suit. This stadium will pave the way for a new generation of players,” former Indian hockey player Ajitesh Roy said.
The launch of the Prerna scheme showed the govt’s dedication to sports development. Under the programme, players received free sports gear, nutrition and insurance coverage of Rs 3 lakh each. CM Nitish Kumar also launched Mashal, a statewide talent hunt at the Patliputra Stadium in Patna on Dec 9.
In addition, the state announced plans to construct Khel Bhawans for indoor games in every district and indoor sports complexes across all nine commissionerates. Bihar State Sports Authority DG Ravindran Sankaran said land for these facilities has already been identified.
