Patna: Bihar is preparing to launch a state-wide sports talent identification programme, starting from the gram panchayat level and moving up to district and state competitions. The initiative aims to identify promising young athletes in rural areas and provide them with structured training and better sporting opportunities.
The Panchayat Sports Festivals, planned for September-October, will focus on children aged 8–11 years and 12–14 years. Along with sporting performance, the programme will assess children’s physical abilities through scientific fitness tests.
Talent Search Across Six Sports
The programme will cover six sports — athletics, cycling, kabaddi, volleyball, football and cricket.
Competitions will begin at the gram panchayat level, where promising players will be shortlisted. Selected athletes will then move to district and state-level competitions and training programmes.
The Bihar State Sports Authority has already prepared a draft action plan and submitted it to the Sports Department. The department is examining the proposal, after which the plan will be finalised for implementation.
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Physical Fitness Will Also Be Assessed
The Bihar sports talent search will go beyond performance on the field. Children will also undergo a physical fitness battery test to assess their speed, stamina, strength and overall physical capacity.
The assessment may include sprinting, long-distance running, high jump, long jump, weighted squats and medicine-ball or heavy-ball throwing.
Such testing will help identify children whose physical abilities make them suitable for specific sports and provide a more systematic approach to early talent identification.
Selected Players to Get Specialised Training
The initiative will not stop at identifying talented children. The Sports Department plans to provide selected players with specialised training, sports equipment and other necessary facilities according to their potential.
Players who demonstrate strong performance will be prepared for higher-level competitions, including national and international events.
The department also plans to send promising athletes to other states when required, allowing them to access modern training facilities and specialised coaching.
Rural Children to Get a Bigger Platform
The programme is particularly significant for children from rural Bihar who may not have access to established sports facilities or formal talent scouting systems.
By beginning the process at the panchayat level, the government aims to create a wider pool of young athletes and give children an opportunity to showcase their abilities close to home.
The progression from panchayat to district and state levels could also create a clearer pathway for promising players to enter competitive sports.
Aim to Build Future Medal Winners
Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh said preparations for the talent search are in the final stage. The objective, she said, is to identify hidden talent at an early age, provide better training and facilities, and prepare athletes capable of winning medals for Bihar at national and international competitions.
The initiative could strengthen Bihar’s grassroots sports ecosystem by combining early talent identification with physical assessment, training and access to better facilities. If implemented effectively, it can help bring more rural children into organised sports and create a stronger pipeline of athletes for the future.
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