CM Nitish Kumar Launches World’s Largest Sports Talent Search 'Bihar Khel Pratibha Khoj Competition'

Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar inaugurated the world's largest sports talent search competition 'Bihar Khel Pratibha Khoj Competition' by lighting the torch. In a program organized at the Indoor Stadium of Patliputra Sports Complex, Kankarbagh, under the Chief Minister Bihar Sports Scholarship Scheme, seven outstanding players were given a scholarship of Rs 20 lakh annually to get better training. The Chief Minister also distributed sports kits among the players. In the inaugural ceremony, the players of Bihar Girls Wushu Team performed Taulu and Wall Mounting live. A short documentary based on Bihar Sports Talent Search Competition was screened in front of the Chief Minister. The program started with the national anthem. The players also got a group photo taken with the Chief Minister.

It is worth noting that 'Bihar Khel Pratibha Khoj Competition' is a very important and ambitious scheme in line with the state government's commitment to the all-round development of sports and players. Its main objective is to promote the development of sports culture in the state. Through this sports talent search competition, talented players from school and outside schools are to be identified and made national and international level players through better training and resources so that they can win medals for the state and country in the Olympic Games to be held in the year 2032 and 2036. About 60 lakh talented players from about 40 thousand government secondary and higher secondary schools of the state will participate in this competition. Along with this, talented players who are out of school will also get a chance to participate in this search competition. Through this, talented players will be selected for block level, district level, division level and state level competition. For this, competition will be organized in athletics, kabaddi, football and volleyball sports. Athletics includes running, long jump and cricket ball throw. This competition will be organized for both boys and girls in the age group below 14 years and below 16 years.

Bihar Sports Talent Search Competition is being organized under the joint aegis of Bihar State Sports Authority, Sports Department, Education Department, SCERT and Bihar Education Project Council. Apart from giving medals and e-certificates to the winning players of various levels participating in this competition, a total cash prize of Rs 10 crore will also be distributed among the players. Apart from this, sports kits (bags, T-shirts, instrument boxes etc.) will be given to the participating players as incentives.

In this competition, the player securing first place in various games organized at the block level will be awarded Rs 1000, the player securing second place will be awarded Rs 600 and the player securing third place will be awarded Rs 400. In the competition organized at district level, the player securing first position will be awarded Rs. 2500, the player securing second position will be awarded Rs. 1500 and the player securing third position will be awarded Rs. 1000 as cash prize. Whereas in the competition organized at state level, the player securing first position will be awarded Rs. 5000, the player securing second position will be awarded Rs. 3000 and the player securing third position will be awarded Rs. 2000. A portal is being prepared to receive applications from the participating players in this competition, on which interested participants will be able to apply.

On this occasion, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mr. Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Sports Minister Mr. Surendra Mehta, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. S. Siddharth, Principal Secretary of Sports Department Dr. B. Rajender, Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Anupam Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Ravi, Director General of Bihar State Sports Authority Mr. Ravindran Shankaran, Special Officer to the Chief Minister Mr. Gopal Singh, Director, Sports Mr. Mahendra Kumar along with officers of the Sports Department and thousands of players from various sports were present.