Sports of Bihar | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Overview of Bihar State Sports Council

• Bihar State Sports Council was established in 1961 and underwent restructuring in 1966 and 2013.
• According to the Bihar Sports Act of 2013, the Bihar State Sports Council was reorganized with a focus on advising on sports-related matters and fostering coordination with other organizations.
• The council plays a crucial role in providing recommendations and maintaining relationships within the sports community in Bihar.
• The Director of the Bihar State Sports Council is the Education Minister.

Important Sports in Bihar

Here are some notable sports that hold significance in Bihar:

Hockey

• Origin of Hockey in Bihar: The sport of hockey took root in Bihar back in 1904 at Patna College. A pivotal moment occurred in 1928 when India participated in the Amsterdam Olympics for the first time and clinched the Gold medal. Notably, Jaipal Singh, originally from Bihar (now in Jharkhand), captained the triumphant team.
• Organizational Development: The Bihar Hockey Association, also known as Hockey Bihar, was founded in 1986. Prior to this, the Bihar Olympic Association oversaw hockey sports in Bihar.
• Key Venues: The Kalinga Stadium in Danapur Cantt hosts annual hockey competitions. Additionally, in Patna, the Postal Department conducts the All India Hockey Tournament regularly.
• Noteworthy Players: Among the prominent hockey players associated with Bihar are Anand Kumar Bara, Sachin Horo, Sachin Johnson Purty, Dolly Kumari, Aprajita Kumari, Anila Sosan, and Shilwanti Minjur.

Football

• The inception of football in Bihar dates back to 1897 when the English Shield, affiliated with the Patna Athletics Association, introduced the sport.
• The Patna Athletics Association oversees the organization of 'A' and 'B' division football tournaments within Bihar.
• Shri C Prasad, a notable football figure, served as the captain of the Indian football team in 1971 and received the Arjuna Award the same year.
• The Asian School Football Championship took place in Patna in 1997.
• The Bihar Football Association, in conjunction with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), governs football activities in Bihar.
• Key football players from Bihar include Mewalal, Subhash Malik, PK Banerji, Arun Das, Anwar Husain, Ashok Banerji, Abdul Lateef, Prabhakar Misra, Davendra Yadav, Badri Prasad, Vidhan Chandra Mishra, Avdesh Kumar Sinha, Subodh Kajiwal, Shatrughan Rai, Arun Jha, and Rameshwar Lal.

Lawn Tennis in Bihar

• Lawn tennis made its debut in Bihar back in 1912 at Bankipur and Patna New Club. The Bihar Lawn Tennis Council was formed in the same year to promote the sport.
• The prestigious Davis Cup Tournaments were hosted in Bihar in 1930 and 1970, featuring teams from Britain and Pakistan, respectively.
• The famous sportsperson GhulamMohammad has also worked as a Coach in Patna.
• Important lawn tennis players are N Sen, Hari Verma, Dinesh Mohan, Chandra Bhushan, Surendra Kumar, Shailya Kumar Upadhyay and so on.

Kabaddi

• Kabaddi is a popular sport in Bihar, played at the state level. One prominent team is the 'Patna Pirates,' which participates in the Pro-Kabaddi League and is based in Patna.
• The team is owned by Rajesh V Shah, coached by Ram Mehar Singh, and led by Pradeep Narwal. They play their home matches at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna.
• Patna Pirates holds the distinction of being the first team to complete 100 matches in the Vivo Pro-Kabaddi League.

Cricket

• The Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) was founded in 1935 and serves as the governing body for cricket in Bihar.
• Following disputes, the Committee of Administrators (COA) recognized BCA as the authorized body for organizing cricket activities in Bihar.
• BCA faced a suspension by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during the 1999-2000 season.
• The Bihar cricket team has a history of participation in the domestic Ranji Tournament, dating back to the season of 1936-37.
• Cricket in Bihar is associated with tournaments like the Heman Trophy and Randhir Verma Shield.
• Bihar has produced notable cricket players such as Saba Karim, Kirti Azad, Ramesh Saxena, and others who have excelled at the national level.
• After a hiatus, the Bihar cricket team rejoined the Ranji Trophy Tournament in the season of 2018-19.
• In 1998-99, Mahendra Singh Dhoni began his cricket journey with the Bihar U-19 Squad and made his Ranji Trophy debut in 1999-2000.
• Bihar boasts a variety of traditional regional games including Chika, Sui-Dhaga race, Gulli-Danda, Lagadi, Denga-Pani, and Sack-race (Bora-daud).

Regional Games in Bihar

• Important regional games in Bihar include Chika, Sui-Dhaga race, Gulli-Danda, Lagadi, Denga-Pani, and Sack-race (Bora-daud).
• To encourage village youth to participate in sports and games, the Bihar State Sports Authority follows directives from the Indian Government. It works to identify and popularize various types of sports and organizes tournaments and competitions at both district and state levels.

Important Sports persons of Bihar

Stadiums in Bihar

• Moin-ul-Haq Stadium: The largest among the three major stadiums in Patna is the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, boasting a capacity of 25,000 spectators. This stadium has hosted numerous national and international football and cricket tournaments over the years. For instance, it was the venue for a World Cup Cricket match between Zimbabwe and Kenya in 1996.
• Patliputra Sports Complex: Situated in Kankarbagh, Patna, the Patliputra Sports Complex serves as a hub for various indoor games within Bihar, nurturing budding talents and promoting sportsmanship.
• Mithilesh Stadium: The Mithilesh Stadium, also located in Patna, is a versatile venue that hosts a wide array of sports events, catering to the diverse sporting interests of the local community.

Important Stadiums in Bihar

Important Tournaments of Bihar

• School Tournament: To enhance opportunities for school sports tournaments and provide more facilities for athletes, the Sports Department has categorized 19 different sports into 5 categories. Each year, the department organizes school sports competitions in various disciplines at block, district, division, and state levels for different age groups.
• Major Dhyanchand Hockey Tournament: The state-level Inter-District Major Dhyanchand Hockey Tournament is organized annually by the Directorate. The winning team represents the state in the All India Nehru Hockey Tournament, with expenses covered by the government.
• Women Sports Competitions: For the past 16 years, the Bihar State Sports Authority has organized a women's sports festival. This festival aims to foster interest in sports, recreation, self-defense, self-respect, gender equality, and sports culture among girls and women. Selected sportswomen receive training and represent the state in national level competitions.

Sports Associations in Bihar

• Bihar State Cricket Association:
  • Founded in 1935, the Bihar State Cricket Association is responsible for preparing, training, and organizing cricket activities for players.
  • It plays a crucial role in evaluating players for selection and conducts competitions at both junior and senior levels.
• Bihar State Girls' Hockey Association:
  • The Bihar State Girls' Hockey Association focuses on training female hockey players and organizing competitions specifically for them.
• Bihar State Chess Association:
  • Established in 1937, the Bihar State Chess Association is dedicated to training both senior and junior players in chess.
  • It also arranges competitions for chess players at various levels to enhance their skills and competitiveness.
• Bihar State Amateur Athletic Association:
  • The Bihar State Amateur Athletic Association is responsible for organizing the state open meet and supporting athletes to compete at state and national levels.

Other Sports Association in Bihar

• Bihar State Amateur Athletic Association organizes the Bihar State Open Meet and supports athletes for state and national-level competitions.
• Other sports associations in Bihar conduct sports competitions and offer training to athletes.
• Various Sports Associations in Bihar:
  • Bihar Basketball Association and Bihar Badminton Association
  • Bihar Volleyball Association and Bihar Table Tennis Association
  • Bihar Tennis Association and Bihar Blind Sports Association
  • Bihar Women Football Association and Bihar Women Volleyball Association
  • Bihar Wushu Association and Bihar Deaf Sports Association
  • Bihar Roller Skating Association and Bihar Boxing Association
  • Bihar Cycling Association and Bihar Taekwondo Association
  • Bihar Billiards Association and Bihar Rifle Shooting Association
  • Bihar Carrom Association and Bihar Baseball Association
  • Bihar Kabaddi Association

Bihar State Sports Authority

• Established on 31st July, 1986, the Bihar State Sports Authority is a key organization receiving financial support from both State and Central Governments. Functioning as an autonomous body, it plays a pivotal role in promoting sports within the region.
• Under the leadership of a Director General, Director, and Secretary, with the Chief Minister of the state serving as the Ex-Officio member, the authority is structured to efficiently manage sports-related activities and initiatives.
• The primary objectives of the authority revolve around organizing sports competitions ranging from the block level to state tournaments. It focuses on identifying and nurturing talented individuals, providing them with necessary training, facilitating their participation in state and national-level events, and extending financial aid to support their athletic endeavors.
• Recognizing excellence, the Bihar State Government acknowledges outstanding athletes by granting rewards and honors during significant national and regional celebrations such as Independence Day and Republic Day.
•  The award get cash rewards, symbol/logo, citation and a shawl.

Famous Sports Personalities of Bihar

Cricket

Sayed Saba Karim

• Sayed Saba Karim, hailing from Patna and born in 1967, is remembered as a former Indian cricketer, particularly known for his adept right-handed batting and wicket-keeping skills. 
• During the 1990-91 season, he showcased his talent by scoring 234 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Odisha, marking a career milestone. 
• His contributions led to his appointment as the General Manager of Cricket Operations by the BCCI on January 1, 2018.

Kirti Azad

• Kirti Azad, a native of Darbhanga born in 1959, transitioned from being an Indian cricketer to a prominent political figure. He represented India in 7 Test Matches and 25 ODIs between 1980 and 1986. 
• These individuals exemplify Bihar's rich sporting heritage, where talent transcends boundaries and inspires generations.

Subroto Banerjee

• Subroto Banerjee, born in Patna in 1969, is a former Indian cricketer who played one Test Match and 6 ODIs from 1991 to 1992.
• He also participated in the 1992 World Cup.

Veer Pratap Singh

• Veer Pratap Singh, born in Nalanda in 1992, is an Indian cricketer known for his right-arm medium seam bowling. 
• He represents West Bengal in first-class cricket and has played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

Kavita Roy

• Kavita Roy, born in Hajipur in 1980, is a former Indian cricketer with a right-handed batting style and right-arm medium pace bowling. She participated in a single ODI, which marked her debut in 2000.

Anukul Rai

• He was born on November 30, 1998, in the village of Bhirha, Samastipur district. 
• He plays for Jharkhand at the domestic level and for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He was also part of the Indian team in the Under-19 World Cup.

Athletics

Shivnath Singh

• He was born in Majharia village, Buxar, in 1946. A distinguished long-distance runner, he represented India in the Asian Games twice and competed in the Summer Olympics in 1976 and 1980. 
• In 1978, he set a record in the Indian National Marathon with a best time of 2:12:00 at Jalandhar. He passed away in 2003 after a prolonged illness.

Sharad Kumar

• He was born in Patna in 1992 and is a notable Indian para high jumper. Kumar has achieved the prestigious title of former World No. 1 Athlete in his category.
• At the 2014 Asian Para Games, Kumar clinched a gold medal in high jump, securing the top rank globally. Furthermore, he repeated this success by winning another gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games held in Indonesia. Additionally, he earned a silver medal in the 2017 IPC World Championship.

Chess

Sriram Jha

• Born in Madhubani in 1976, Sriram Jha is recognized as an Indian Chess Grandmaster. He notably participated in the FIDE World Cup 2009.
• In 2003, Jha contributed to India's success by playing for the bronze medal-winning 'C' team in the Asian Team Chess Championship. Moreover, he showcased his skills by winning the Indian Championship of Rapid Chess in 2014.

Arvind Kumar Sinha

• He was born in Nawada in 1954 and is renowned as a skilled international chess player from Bihar.
• In 2008, he achieved the prestigious title of Bihar's first and only FIDE Master.
• Notably, he secured 7th place in the Common Wealth Chess Championship in London in 1986.
• Throughout the early 1980s, he dominated as Bihar Champion, clinching the title in 1981, 1983, and 1983 consecutively.
• Aside from his playing prowess, he serves as a dedicated Chess Trainer and the Honorary Secretary of the All Bihar Chess Association (ABCA).

Rashmi Kumari

• Rashmi Kumari, hailing from Bihar, has made a mark as an accomplished international carrom player.
• Her triumphs include securing the women's title at the 17th Inter-institution National Carrom Championship held in Mumbai in 2015.
• She boasts an impressive track record in national competitions, emerging victorious numerous times:
  • Sub-Junior National Championship winner in 1997.
  • Junior National Championship winner in Faridabad in 2000.
  • Eight-time champion at the Senior National Level Championship in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Nirupama Pandey

• She was born in Siwan, Bihar. An accomplished Indian mountaineer, she became the first person from Bihar to scale Mount Everest on May 25, 2011. 
• Her mountaineering achievements also include summiting Mt Stok Kangri, Mt Gulab Kangri in Leh, Mt Kamet, Mt Abhigamin in Garhwal, and Mt Saser Kangri in Ladakh. 
• She has been honored with the Ati Vishishth Khel Samman by the Government of Bihar.

Major Initiatives in Sports in Bihar

• Sports Facilitation Programme: Sportspersons who have represented India in international events or won medals at the national level are honored on National Sports Day through this program.
• Mukhyamentri Khel Vikas Yojana: The Eklavya Rajya Awasiya Khel Prashikshan Kendra Scheme operates 29 centers across 16 districts in Bihar, with 6 more planned for the near future.
• ‘Come and Play’ Scheme: This scheme provides sports fields and equipment for nine different sports disciplines to athletes.
• Training Camps: In 2016-17, approval was granted to organize training camps at the Manoj Kamalia stadium in Patna city.
• ‘Khelo India’ Programme: Competitions in nearly 10 sports disciplines for women were held at both district and state levels under this program.
• Proposed Gymnasium Cum Sports Complex: The state government plans to build a facility equipped with multi-gym and modern sports equipment, including wrestling and taekwondo mats, to promote physical fitness and district-level competitions.
• Directorate of Youth Welfare and Sports: This body focuses on the overall development of the state's youth.
• State Sports Policy Task Force: A task force of sports administrators, state sportspersons, national officials, and Arjuna Award winners has been formed to guide and recommend the development of sports in the state. Their recommendations will help formulate the State’s Sports Policy.

Awards and Honours

The state of Bihar recognizes and celebrates the achievements of individuals across various fields by bestowing them with awards and honours on significant occasions such as Independence Day and Republic Day. Recipients of these accolades are honored with cash prizes, citations, and shawls in acknowledgment of their noteworthy contributions within their respective domains. Here are some of the notable awards and honours conferred by the Bihar Government:

Literature Awards Given by Different Academies of Bihar

To foster artistic and literary talent within the state, the Bihar Government has established 11 distinct academies aimed at recognizing and rewarding artists and writers. These academies serve as platforms for the promotion of diverse art forms and languages.
The following academies play a crucial role in nurturing and honoring creative endeavors in Bihar:

Academies in Bihar

• Hindi Granth Academy and Sanskrit Academy
• Sangeet Natak Academy and Lalit Kala Academy
• Bangla Academy and Urdu Academy
• Maithili Academy and Magadhi Academy
• Tribal Language Academy and Bhojpuri Academy
• South Indian Language Academy

Awards by Bihar Department of State Language

• Chanakya Prize in Political Science
• Mandan Mishra Prize in Religion and Philosophy
• Vidyapati Prize for Lok Sahitya written in Hindi
• Aryabhatt Prize in Science
• Upendra Maharathi Prize in Art and Sculpture
• Ayodhya Prasad Khatri Prize for Hindi Language and Script
• Kashi Prasad Jaiswal Prize in History and Sanskrit
• Raja Radhika Raman Prasad Singh Prize in Novel and Story
• Shiv Pujan Sahai Prize in Literature, Rememberance, and Travelogue
• Rambriksha Benipuri Prize in Drama and Stage
• Kedarnath Mishra 'Prabhat' Prize in Poem

Padma Bhushan Awardees from Bihar

List of Padmashri Awardees from Bihar (After 1990)

Other Important Awards Given by the State Government of Bihar