Bihar’s Sports Minister Ms Shreyasi Singh on Wednesday met Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and State Sports Minister Mr Vishwas Kailash Sarang to discuss mutual cooperation between the two states in the field of sports. Bihar State Sports Authority’s Director General-cum-Chief Executive Officer Mr Ravindran Shankaran and Director Mr Himanshu Singh were also present along with experts.

Bihar’s flagship sports talent search scheme ‘Mashaal’ to be adopted by Madhya Pradesh
Consensus reached after meeting of Bihar Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Sports Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang
Madhya Pradesh to extend full cooperation for development of water sports in Bihar

Welcoming the Bihar Sports Minister at his official residence, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav assured full cooperation and close coordination between the two states for the overall development of sports. On the occasion, Ms Shreyasi Singh presented Dr Mohan Yadav with a Madhubani silk and a Bodhi tree memento, while the Chief Minister honoured Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh and Director General Ravindran Shankaran with idols of Ram Darbar.

Ms Shreyasi Singh, along with her delegation, held detailed discussions with Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Mr Vishwas Kailash Sarang in the presence of State Sports Director Mr Rajesh Gupta and senior officials on strengthening inter-state cooperation in sports. Assuring full support, Mr Sarang informed that 20 per cent seats would be reserved for Bihar’s players in various sports academies of Madhya Pradesh. Bihar’s athletes will be provided training facilities, particularly in shooting, archery, boxing and water sports.

It was also agreed that until adequate sports infrastructure is fully developed in Bihar, talented players from the state would be able to avail training at facilities in Madhya Pradesh under the guidance of national and international coaches. Both states agreed on mutual exchange of sports knowledge, coaches and experts, and on sustained coordination and cooperation for the holistic development of sports and athletes.

During the discussions, Mr Sarang sought detailed information from Director General Ravindran Shankaran about Bihar’s ambitious sports talent search project ‘Mashaal’. Impressed by its implementation and outcomes, he directed his officials to adopt the Mashaal scheme in Madhya Pradesh as well. A team of Madhya Pradesh officials will soon visit Bihar to study the implementation and successful operation of the scheme.

Earlier, Ms Shreyasi Singh visited the canoeing, kayaking and rowing academies in Bhopal to study the potential and essential requirements for developing water sports in Bihar. Indian Canoeing and Kayaking Federation President Mr Prashant Kushwaha gave a warm welcome to the Bihar Sports Minister and her delegation, assuring all possible efforts and cooperation from the federation for the development of water sports in Bihar.

Mr Kushwaha also agreed to send a Canadian Olympian and international water sports expert next week to survey suitable locations for setting up a water sports academy in Bihar. The federation has also agreed to provide training to Bihar’s water sports coaches through its world-class trainers. From the construction of academies and jetties to procurement and supply of essential equipment, the federation will extend full support. The Indian Canoeing and Kayaking Federation will also take responsibility for cooperation in the construction, operation and training of the proposed water sports academy in Bihar for the first two years, enabling the state to advance at national and international levels in this sporting discipline as well.