Rajgir, near Nalanda, rises as Bihar’s new Sports Hub
Dubela, Amritangshu Paul: Rajgir’s sports complex is set to transform Bihar into a major sporting hub, with world-class facilities and international events. A newly constructed sports complex in Rajgir, Bihar, spanning 97.9 acres and costing approximately Rs 770 crore, is poised to become a key player in India’s sporting landscape. The facility, designed to accommodate 23 sports disciplines across indoor and outdoor arenas, aims to nurture future athletes and provide residential training for aspiring sportspersons.
The complex has already gained praise from Indian women’s hockey team coach Harendra Singh, who compared it to sports facilities in Colorado, USA. Singh, originally from Bihar’s Saran district, fulfilled his lifelong dream of coaching in his home state when he led his team to victory in the Asian Champions Trophy last year. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming men’s Hockey Asia Cup, scheduled for August. The tournament is expected to feature India and seven other teams, including Pakistan, with event planning already in progress.
Rajgir is historically known for its Buddhist heritage where once Buddha spent some time and proximity to the ancient Nalanda University ruins. The first Buddhist Council was also held here at 483 BCE. This place is now embracing a new identity as a sporting powerhouse creating new athletes and future sports stars. But this sporting powerhouse for future sports stars has not ignored the region’s rich heritage and past. The main building of the complex pays tribute to the Old Nalanda University. “The colour, design and even the brickwork was based on the Old Nalanda University. We took into account a salient feature of the old Nalanda University which was air circulation to ensure that the temperature always remained at a particular level,” said Ravindra Sankaran, director general-cum CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA).
With the Bihar government striving to have a player from the state to represent India at the 2036 Olympics, the Rajgir Sports Complex stands as a crucial component in crafting that success story of India in sports field. The journey won’t be easy, but with the right support and a nurturing ecosystem, Bihar could well produce the next Manu Bhaker or Neeraj Chopra in the near future.
