Abhinav Bindra Applauds Bihar's Enhanced Focus on Sports Development
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has highlighted a significant shift in Bihar's approach to sports, declaring that athletic pursuits have now become a top priority in the state. During the Bihar Sports Conclave in Patna, organized by the state government and Sportsstar, Bindra praised the ongoing efforts to build and enhance sports infrastructure.
Government Commitment and Collaborative Efforts
Bindra, who made history as the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, expressed admiration for the development of sports in Bihar. He noted that the state's sports minister, a former shooting colleague, is deeply committed to fostering athletic growth. "The way sports are being developed in Bihar is truly admirable," Bindra stated, emphasizing the importance of such conclaves in providing a platform for discussion and progress.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, also present at the event, appreciated the Bihar government's initiatives in creating an efficient sporting ecosystem. Khadse stressed the need for continued collaboration between central and state governments to promote sports across India.
Athlete Perspectives and Future Goals
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shreyasi Singh, who represented India at the 2024 Paris Olympics, underscored the Bihar government's role in providing dignity and appropriate platforms for athletes. She outlined a dual strategy focusing on grassroots development for amateur athletes and the construction of international and national-level stadiums. "We are working in parallel on two fronts: grassroots-level development and stadium construction," Shreyasi asserted, highlighting Bihar's successful hosting of international events and plans for more in the future.
The state minister detailed specific initiatives, such as integrating Eklavya centres into schools nationwide to balance education and sports training. In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has established centres of excellence for sports in each district, with efforts underway to link them with universities for seamless integration of academics and athletics.
Vision for Olympic Hosting and Sports City
Looking ahead, the minister revealed plans to build a sports city in Bihar, citing the completion of international-standard stadiums like the one in Rajgir. Aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics in India, she emphasized the goal of increasing representation from Bihar in national Olympic teams. "We want to build a system wherein more and more athletes from Bihar will be part of the national Olympics team," she added, calling for collective efforts to realize this dream.
Bindra concluded with an optimistic note, wishing everyone success in strengthening and advancing sports both in Bihar and across the country, reinforcing the state's emerging role in India's athletic landscape.
