PM Narendra Modi lauds Bihar’s sports push as Khelo India Youth Games draws big crowds

PANTA: Bihar has come a long way in developing sports infrastructure and earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who lauded the state’s efforts in promoting sports. Declaring the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 open on Sunday, the PM said while India was striving to host the 2036 Olympics, Bihar, under chief minister Nitish Kumar, was actively implementing the Centre’s sports-related schemes.The PM highlighted key initiatives such as the upcoming sports city on the PatnaGaya highway and the recently opened Rajgir Sports Academy in Nalanda. PM said hosting the event like KIYG will further help Bihar in establishing its presence in the field of sports at national level. “ Jo jitna khelega, woh utna khilega (the more you play, the more you bloom),” Modi said in his message to the young athletes participating in KIYG.Modi also praised Bihar for producing 14-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who hit the fastest century by an Indian in the ongoing IPL.The PM said his govt has allocated Rs 4,000 cr for sports in its budget this year with focus on modernising sports infrastructure nationwide.The Bihar govt has provided govt jobs to 3,067 athletes who had won medals at national and international levels, said CM Nitish.