Sir,

With the rapid increase of development in Bihar like coming up of big malls and flyovers, we are hardly able to find any proper sports ground or stadium to raise a platform for our players into national or international level.

Patna’s playgrounds like Moinul Haq Stadium or Patliputra Sports Complex are all in pitiable condition with garbage dumped along the side and with no proper sanitation or drinking facilities.

Although, Bihar is known for its education, it lacks in providing a fair chance to the players from all over the state. Moreover, the schools and colleges of Bihar mainly focuses on education and sports are not given much priority. And due to this, Bihar lags behind in sports field when compared to other state. How many famous players have we seen in International level from Bihar representing India in any sports? Obviously, the answer is ‘Zero’. For representing the country, one has to leave Bihar and go to another state for the building of their career.

Being a sports person, I know this pain very well of not getting chance and proper infrastructure to enhance my talent. In Bihar, we cannot dream of choosing our career in sports as we know that it will leave us nowhere. And that’s the reason behind every parent’s hesitation in not permitting us to opt for sports as our career.

Once, I went for the sports trials of the State level selection in athletics, and I was shocked to see the corruption in the sports matter too. The sports authorities had to select two to three players from Patna Zone but they selected only one and the rest of the money that would have been spent on the other player was ‘saved’ by them for their own benefits. This system leads in destroying the dreams and aspirations of many. Moreover, Government has become a mute spectator on this matter as administrators are hardly concerned about sports or giving basic amenities as a motivation to the youts. Beautiful parks have been made for jogging lovers, but what about the sports lovers as they need a bigger space.

Unfortunately, Bihar in real terms, believes an old famous Hindi saying, – “Padhoge Likhoge Toh Banoge Nawaab, Kheloge Khoodoge Toh Hoge Kharaab”, (If you study, you shall become a respected individual, if you play you shall amount to nothing).

Hence, everyone including the Government, official authorities, schools, colleges or even parents should understand the value of sports and its career and therefore, should help and motivate youngsters to achieve their goals. On the other hand, the Government should include sports in its agenda for inclusive growth of Bihar.

Yours Truly,

Bhwya Sriya, Communicative English with Media Studies – II,

Patna Women’s College.

  letters, sports