The four-day official visit of Ms Shreyasi Singh, Minister of Sports and Industry, Government of Bihar, concluded today at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
On the final day of her visit, she held a high-level meeting with Odisha’s Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Mr Suryabanshi Suraj.
Praising Odisha’s world-class sports infrastructure and High-Performance Centres, Ms. Shreyasi Singh mentioned that Bihar is also rapidly developing its sports infrastructure. To ensure optimal utilization and management of sports facilities, she proposed organizing friendly matches and exchange programs for players between Odisha and Bihar. She further highlighted that Bihar is currently developing infrastructure for four sports—volleyball, basketball, cricket practice pitches, and football—in every Gram Panchayat.
Odisha Sports Minister Mr. Suryabanshi Suraj shared that through initiatives like the ‘CM Trophy’, Odisha is nurturing new sporting talent right from the grass-roots level. Sports Secretary Mr. Bhupendra Singh Poonia explained Odisha’s working model, and both ministers agreed that strong coordination among schools, sports institutions, and government departments is essential for building a robust sports ecosystem for rural athletes.
The meeting also emphasized the critical role of **Sports Science*. Mr. Poonia stressed integrating sports science into the curriculum to address coaching and training challenges while securing the future of athletes. Similarly, Ms. Singh highlighted the need for awareness programs to educate athletes on injury prevention, proper nutrition, and adequate rest.
Mr. Suryabanshi Suraj appreciated the expansion of the Central Government’s ‘Khelo India’ centres. Based on the insights from the ‘Chintan Shivir’ held in Jammu and Kashmir, he proposed organizing similar brainstorming seminars at the state and district levels. He added that organizing state-level competitions prior to national events significantly enhances athlete performance and skill.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Mr. Suryabanshi Suraj introduced the Bihar delegation to Odisha’s rich culture and traditional cuisine. Expressing gratitude for the hospitality of the Odisha government, Ms. Shreyasi Singh shared that her visit to Lord Jagannath in Puri and the greenery and cleanliness of Bhubaneswar brought her immense joy. She remarked that Odisha’s sports model serves as an inspiration for the entire nation.
