Patna, June 2025 – In a major step toward inclusive sports development, the Bihar government has announced the establishment of a dedicated residential school for para-athletes. The facility, the first of its kind in the state, aims to identify and train young athletes with disabilities for participation in national and international competitions, with a strong focus on the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approved the initiative as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Bihar’s sporting infrastructure and provide equal opportunities to all athletes, regardless of physical ability. The residential school is expected to become operational within a year.
The school will offer full-time accommodation, academic education, and specialized sports training tailored for para-athletes. It will be equipped with adaptive training equipment, rehabilitation and medical support, and access to certified coaches experienced in working with differently-abled athletes.
This move is in line with the government’s recent investments in sports development. In 2024, Bihar inaugurated a massive International Sports Complex in Rajgir, which features facilities for 24 sports disciplines, including para-sports. The state has also significantly increased its sports budget—from ₹30 crore in 2022 to over ₹600 crore in 2024—and launched talent identification programs across rural and urban districts.
Bihar has already produced notable para-athletes like Shailesh Kumar, who won gold in the men’s high jump at the 2022 Asian Para Games and qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Officials believe the new residential school will help discover and develop more such athletes across the state.
“This is not just a sporting initiative; it is a social commitment to empower and uplift para-athletes who often face neglect and lack of facilities,” a senior sports department official said.
The school will also tie into the state’s broader employment-linked incentives for athletes, such as the “Medal Lao, Naukri Pao” scheme that awards government jobs to medal winners at national and international events.
By integrating education with sports training, the school will aim to create a supportive and holistic environment for para-athletes, ensuring long-term career prospects both on and off the field.
Bihar’s initiative could become a model for other states looking to promote inclusive and competitive para-sport ecosystems. With the 2028 Paralympics just three years away, the clock has started ticking—but for many young athletes in Bihar, a new and hopeful chapter is just beginning.
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