Latest news with #RavindranShankaran
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Once known for caste wars, Bihar now hogs limelight for sports battles
1 2 3 Patna: The state, which used to grab national headlines for caste wars and massacres, has been trying to carve a niche in the sports arena by developing world-class infrastructure, and hosting national and international events. Bihar is not only hosting the 7th edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2025 from May 4 to 15, Rajgir, so far famous for its tourist sites, is also set to host Men's Asia Cup hockey tournament from Aug 29 to Sept 7. The winners will qualify for the World Cup to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Hockey India and Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA) signed an MoU recently to finalise the historic city as the venue for the marquee event. Ravindran Shankaran, BSSA DG-cum-chief executive officer, said it was a matter of pride for Bihar as the tournament was being held in India for the third time only, after 1989 in New Delhi and 2007 in Chennai. Earlier, Rajgir played host to the women's Asian Champions Trophy from Nov 11 to Nov 20, 2024, featuring China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. With India winning the prestigious tournament, the state govt awarded cash prize of Rs10 lakh each to the Indian team members. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the Rajgir stadium is of international standards. Rajgir Sports University and Sports Academy was inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar on August 29, 2024. It is the first university in Bihar with 24 types of indoor and outdoor sports facilities like hockey turf, swimming pool, football ground, cricket stadium and an indoor stadium. Besides, the Nitish Kumar govt has already announced plans to develop the state's first international-level sports city in Punpun block of Patna district. The ambitious project over 100 acres will be equipped with Olympic-standard facilities. The complex will feature modern stadiums, dedicated training centres, hostels for athletes and state-of-the-art sports science laboratories. It was approved during the 2025-26 budget session with an aim to provide world-class training and infrastructure for athletes. Bihar govt has allocated Rs 568 crore for sports in the 2025-26 budget, which is Rs 88 crore more than the previous year. Of this, Rs 373 crore is earmarked for stadiums and sports infrastructure, while Rs 195 crore will support various sports activities. Dr Subhangi, the coach of the Maharashtra team participating in the Khelo India games in Bhagalpur, was all praise for the standards of infrastructure. Among other national and international sports events hosted by the state are SepakTakraw World Cup 2025 from March 20 to 25 at Patliputra Indoor Stadium in Patna, 32nd National Junior Fencing Championship 2024-2025 in Patliputra Sports Complex from Dec 2 to 5 last year and 68th National School Games Fencing Under-19 (Boys and Girls) Championship from Feb 10 to 14. Sports Conclave 2.0 was successfully organised in May 2023 in Patna, in which officials, national and state sports federations, policymakers, business enterprises and several key stakeholders from the sports industry participated. Patna: The state, which used to grab national headlines for caste wars and massacres, has been trying to carve a niche in the sports arena by developing world-class infrastructure, and hosting national and international events. Bihar is not only hosting the 7th edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2025 from May 4 to 15, Rajgir, so far famous for its tourist sites, is also set to host Men's Asia Cup hockey tournament from Aug 29 to Sept 7. The winners will qualify for the World Cup to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Hockey India and Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA) signed an MoU recently to finalise the historic city as the venue for the marquee event. Ravindran Shankaran, BSSA DG-cum-chief executive officer, said it was a matter of pride for Bihar as the tournament was being held in India for the third time only, after 1989 in New Delhi and 2007 in Chennai. Earlier, Rajgir played host to the women's Asian Champions Trophy from Nov 11 to Nov 20, 2024, featuring China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. With India winning the prestigious tournament, the state govt awarded cash prize of Rs10 lakh each to the Indian team members. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the Rajgir stadium is of international standards. Rajgir Sports University and Sports Academy was inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar on August 29, 2024. It is the first university in Bihar with 24 types of indoor and outdoor sports facilities like hockey turf, swimming pool, football ground, cricket stadium and an indoor stadium. Besides, the Nitish Kumar govt has already announced plans to develop the state's first international-level sports city in Punpun block of Patna district. The ambitious project over 100 acres will be equipped with Olympic-standard facilities. The complex will feature modern stadiums, dedicated training centres, hostels for athletes and state-of-the-art sports science laboratories. It was approved during the 2025-26 budget session with an aim to provide world-class training and infrastructure for athletes. Bihar govt has allocated Rs 568 crore for sports in the 2025-26 budget, which is Rs 88 crore more than the previous year. Of this, Rs 373 crore is earmarked for stadiums and sports infrastructure, while Rs 195 crore will support various sports activities. Dr Subhangi, the coach of the Maharashtra team participating in the Khelo India games in Bhagalpur, was all praise for the standards of infrastructure. Among other national and international sports events hosted by the state are SepakTakraw World Cup 2025 from March 20 to 25 at Patliputra Indoor Stadium in Patna, 32nd National Junior Fencing Championship 2024-2025 in Patliputra Sports Complex from Dec 2 to 5 last year and 68th National School Games Fencing Under-19 (Boys and Girls) Championship from Feb 10 to 14. Sports Conclave 2.0 was successfully organised in May 2023 in Patna, in which officials, national and state sports federations, policymakers, business enterprises and several key stakeholders from the sports industry participated.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Sports complex undergoes overhaul ahead of Games
1 2 Patna : The state capital is buzzing with anticipation as it prepares to host the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 from May 4. The Pataliputra Sports Complex is undergoing a transformation with state-of-the-art upgrades and infrastructure developments in full swing. The Games will be held in five locations – Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Begusarai. The inauguration will be held at the Pataliputra Sports Complex here. Ravindran Shankaran, director General of the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), said, "Upgradation work is being carried out throughout the campus from the main gate to the sports complex. A VIP lounge is being made in the east stand gallery. This will be fully air-conditioned. Thick glass will be used at the front, providing a clear view of the entire sports complex ground." He added that the BSSA building is being modernised with rooms for players, coaches, officials, media conferences and office spaces, alongside upgraded toilets. The running track and football field have been developed to international standards, high-mast LED lighting installed and internal roads topped with asphalt. "The entire sports complex has been painted, the entry gate arch refurbished and the VIP gallery upgraded with HPL panelling, a false ceiling and lighting," Shankaran said, adding that additional competition venues in Patna include IAS Bhavan, Gyan Bhavan, Ganga Pathway and BMP 5 Indoor Stadium.
