DISABILITY SPORTS COMPETITION-2025 INAUGURATED

DISABILITY SPORTS COMPETITION-2025 INAUGURATED

17-SEP-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYANN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------The State-wide Disability Sports Competition, 2025 was inaugurated on Sunday under the joint aegis of Social Welfare Department, Bihar, Patna, Bihar State Sports Authority and Bihar Para Sports Association. The function was jointly organised by Bandana Preyashi, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Md. Shams Alam Sheikh, Para Swimmer and Jhandu Kumar, Para Powerlifter, Yogesh Kumar Sagar, Director, Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Bihar, Patna, Anjali Sharma, Additional Commissioner for Disability, Bihar, Patna, Dr. Shivaji Kumar, President, Bihar Para Sports Association at the Indoor Stadium, Bihar State Sports Authority. Officials and staff of Social Welfare Department, Bihar State Sports Authority as well as students of various special schools run under the Social Welfare Department were present on the occasion. In his address, the Secretary, Social Welfare Department, stated that this is a historic occasion as we launch a ten-day sports program for the state's disabled children. He stated that the primary objective of this innovative initiative by the Bihar Government is to provide a platform for the state's disabled athletes to participate in their favorite sports disciplines and empower themselves by showcasing their skills. The participation of over 2,111 disabled individuals in this 10-day competition, organized in coordination with the Social Welfare Department, the Bihar State Sports Authority, and the Bihar Para Sports Association, is a historic moment. The three different sports disciplines being held during this event, including para-athletics, para-badminton, and para-swimming, will provide the state's disabled athletes with the opportunity to participate in sports beyond their physical and intellectual abilities, express themselves, and pursue their passion without any limitations. He wished all the disabled athletes participating in this competition the best of luck. He also announced that this sports competition should be held every year, and that the Social Welfare Department is ready to provide all possible support.

On this occasion, Chief Guests Md. Shams Alam Sheikh, Para Swimmer, and Jhandu Kumar, Para Powerlifter, also addressed the gathering. Md. Shams Alam Sheikh stated that this is the first time such an event is being organized for persons with disabilities. He expressed his happiness and praised this innovative initiative by the Bihar Government and wished all the participating athletes and organizers well.

Addressing the event, the Director of the Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities stated that we hope that this competition, which will be held over the next 10 days, will provide a unique experience for the state's children with disabilities, their parents, and the technical officials and organizers present at the competition venues. This first-time competition is not just a sporting event but a powerful initiative towards inclusive development in society and providing opportunities for every child. This event will provide children from all corners of Bihar with an opportunity to rise above their individual challenges, meet each other, and compete to understand and learn from one another, and to improve their abilities and performance.

The Social Welfare Department informed that the Statewide Disability Sports Competition, 2025, is being organized from 15.09.2025 to 24.09.2025 under the joint aegis of the Social Welfare Department, Bihar State Sports Authority, and Bihar Para Sports Association. This is the first such event for athletes with disabilities in the country, which is a historic achievement for the state of Bihar. Under the Statewide Disability Sports Competition, 2025, various categories of three sports disciplines, namely Para Athletics (Track & Field), Para Swimming, and Para Badminton, are being organized. Disabled players of sub-junior, junior and senior age groups can participate in the said sports competition. The said sports competition is being organized in a total of 14 districts of the state namely Nalanda, Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Bhojpur, Muzaffarpur, Saran, Munger, Purnia, East Champaran, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Gayaji, Begusarai and Patna, in which interested disabled players from all 38 districts will be able to participate in the respective sports disciplines. The details of the venue and dates are as follows:

1. Nalanda - September 15, 2025, Nalanda, Nawada, Rajgir Sports Complex, Rajgir, Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

Para Swimming

2. Bhagalpur - September 18, 2025, Bhagalpur, Banka, Sandis Compound, Bhagalpur, Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

3. Rohtas - September 18, 2025, Rohtas, Kaimur, Fazalganj Stadium, Rohtas, Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

4. Bhojpur (Ara) - September 18, 2025, Bhojpur, Buxar, Ramna Stadium, Bhojpur (Ara) - Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

5. Muzaffarpur - September 19, 2025, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Vaishali L.S. College Ground, Muzaffarpur Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

6 Saran (Chhapra) 19.09.2025 Saran (Chhapra), Siwan, Gopalganj Rajendra Stadium, Saran (Chhapra), Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

7 Munger 19.09.2025 Munger, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura Polo Ground, Munger Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

8 Purnia, September 20, 2025 Purnia, Araria, Katihar, Kishanganj Indira Gandhi Stadium, Purnia Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

9 East Champaran, September 20, 2025 East Champaran, West Champaran Gandhi Ground, Motihari Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

10 Darbhanga, September 21, 2025 Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur Nehru Stadium, Laheriasarai Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

11 Saharsa, September 21, 2025 Saharsa, Madhepura, Supaul Sports Building Complex, Saharsa Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

12 Gayaji, September 22, 2025 Gayaji, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal Bipad Complex, Gayaji Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

Para Swimming

13 Begusarai 22.09.2025 Begusarai, Khagaria Gandhi Stadium, Begusarai Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

14 Patna 22.09.2025 Patna Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna Para Athletics (Track & Field)

Para Badminton

Para Swimming

In this context, it was informed that registration of players for participation in the sports competition is being done through the online portal. To date, a total of over 2111 disabled players (314 women and 1797 men) have registered for this competition. In special circumstances, on-the-spot registration is also available.

The Statewide Disability Sports Competition 2025 demonstrates the Social Welfare Department's unwavering commitment to building an inclusive and equitable society. This initiative is based on the belief that every child, regardless of their physical or intellectual abilities, deserves the opportunity to participate in sports, express themselves, and pursue their passions without limitations. The objective of organizing this sports competition is to uplift children with disabilities by building their self-confidence, enhancing their physical and mental health, and fostering a sense of accomplishment and belonging. This sports competition will identify talented athletes with disabilities and prepare them for future national and international events, such as the Paralympic Games, through specialized training. International-level technical regulations will be followed during this sports competition. It is noteworthy that the state government implements the visionary "Medal Lao, Naukri Pao" scheme, under which several para-athletes have been recruited into government services, reinforcing the state's commitment to recognizing and rewarding sporting excellence among persons with disabilities. Bihar has consistently produced talented para-athletes who have excelled at both the national and international levels. In particular, Sharad Kumar, a high jumper from Muzaffarpur, has brought global recognition to the state by winning medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Internationally, athletes such as Shailesh Kumar (Para-athletics), Mohammad Shams Alam Sheikh (Para-swimming), Jhandu Kumar (Para-powerlifting), Umesh Vikram Kumar (Para-badminton), Mohammad Arwaz Ansari (Para-badminton), Satyam (Para-badminton), and Goldy Kumari (Para-athletics) have won numerous medals at prestigious competitions. This competition, held for the first time, is not just a sporting event but a powerful initiative towards inclusive development in society and providing opportunities for every child. This event will provide children from all corners of Bihar with an opportunity to rise above their individual challenges, meet each other, understand and learn from each other through competition, and improve their abilities and performance.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Himanshu, Deputy Director, Bihar State Sports Authority.