Bihar Government Unveils Sports Scholarship Scheme for 514 Athletes
In a significant move to promote sports excellence, the Bihar government has announced a comprehensive Sports Scholarship Scheme that will provide substantial financial aid to a total of 514 selected athletes across the state. The initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, aims to nurture and support talented individuals in their athletic pursuits.
Scholarship Categories and Distribution
The scholarships are structured into three distinct categories, each designed to cater to different levels of athletic achievement and potential:
- Utkarsh Category: This top-tier category offers scholarships of up to Rs 20 lakh per annum. A total of 18 elite athletes have been selected to receive this high-level financial support, which is intended for those competing at national and international stages.
- Saksham Category: Under this category, 129 athletes will be awarded scholarships of up to Rs 5 lakh each annually. This mid-level support targets athletes who show promising talent and are on the path to higher competitive levels.
- Prerna Category: The largest group, comprising 367 athletes, will receive scholarships of up to Rs 3 lakh per annum. This category includes 269 children identified through the "Mashaal" talent hunt scheme and 98 selected via online applications, focusing on grassroots development and early-stage talent.
Objectives and Implementation
The Sports Scholarship Scheme, implemented a year ago by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is a strategic effort to provide financial backing to outstanding athletes in Bihar. According to Raveendran Sankaran, Director General-cum-CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), the scheme is designed to enhance athletes' skills and offer them the resources needed for success.
"The scholarship scheme is meant to provide financial support to talented and outstanding athletes of the state and also to enhance their skills," Sankaran stated. He emphasized that athletes can utilize the funds for various purposes, including purchasing sports equipment, covering training costs, maintaining a proper diet, and financing travel to participate in competitive events.
Impact and Future Steps
The "Mashaal" scheme, a key component of this initiative, is a talent hunt competition focused on identifying, training, and honing students' abilities at the school level. This program aims to prepare young athletes for national and international competitions, ensuring a pipeline of skilled sportspeople for the future.
Sankaran highlighted the positive impact of the scheme, noting that "the sports scholarship scheme has provided a new direction to hundreds of athletes in Bihar within just one year of its implementation." The selected players are set to receive their scholarship money and certificates soon in a ceremony presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, marking a milestone in the state's sports development efforts.
This initiative underscores the Bihar government's commitment to fostering athletic talent and providing the necessary infrastructure for sports growth, potentially leading to greater recognition and success for the state's athletes on larger platforms.
