Patna: The 90th Bihar State Junior and Senior Athletics Championship 2024, the largest athletics event in Bihar, commenced on Friday at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna. The championship was formally inaugurated by Bihar Sports Minister Surendra Mehta, with Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Bihar State Sports Authority Raveendran Sankaran, Director and Secretary Pankaj Kumar Raj, and Secretary of Bihar Athletics Association Liaquat Ali in attendance.
In his address, Sports Minister Surendra Mehta congratulated all the athletes and attendees. He noted that Bihar is making significant progress in sports, thanks to the positive policies and efforts of the Central and State Governments. Mehta highlighted the government’s commitment to the development of sports and athletes in the state, announcing plans to establish sports clubs in every panchayat and ensure playgrounds in every Gram Panchayat. Where grounds are not available, the government will acquire land to provide playgrounds. He encouraged all athletes to compete with discipline and dedication to bring pride to Bihar by winning medals.
Director and Secretary of Bihar State Sports Authority Pankaj Kumar Raj emphasized the significance of the Bihar State Junior and Senior Athletics Championship as the premier athletics event in the state. Approximately 2,000 athletes, including 540 girls and 1,350 boys from all 38 districts of Bihar, are participating.
The championship includes competitions in various athletics events such as running, hurdle races, long jump, high jump, triple jump, javelin throw, shot put, and discus throw. Athletes who perform well and win their events will be selected to represent Bihar in national and international competitions. The government will ensure that the selected athletes receive top-level training from skilled trainers to prepare them for these high-level competitions.
