K. ARUMUGAM
The Government of India’s flagship sports development program — the Khelo India Youth Games – received a fillip when it allotted this year’s edition to Bihar. The mega sports congregation was not only staged with precision but ushered in a revolution of sort for the sport-longing state.
The 12-day extravaganza saw over 5,000 athletes compete in 28 disciplines, setting over 25 national records in its wake. The 12 venues were spread over five cities, interestingly from the mundane Railway Sports Complex to the modern Indian Institute of Management’s indoor facility. Even IAS Bhawan chipped in to host tennis. The Rajbir Sports Complex, the talk of the town nowadays in the Indian sports circles, had five major disciplines including hockey. Overall, about 1,500 support staff, 1,000 volunteers and 1,060 certified technical officials put their best foot forward to see the 5,000 plus athletes showcase their skills on sporting turfs and fields.
Raveendran Shankaran who changed the face of Bihar sports
Unlike the previous six editions, the services of event management companies were not availed to manage what in popularly parlance is known as ACT (Accommodation, Catering & Transportation). That would have helped the organizers tide over the gigantic task more easily, if not in a laidback and safe manner.
It’s here that the executing agency Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA) differs distinctively in comparison with the previous six hosts.
The brain behind the show, Raveendran Sankaran, Director General & Chief Executive Officer of BSSA, is nonplussed about it when he says,
“We were repeatedly advised, and at times cautioned, that without outsourcing these services to private agencies, the event would falter and risk reputational damage to the State. But we chose to push the envelope.”
Easier said than done, thought many, but Raveendran Sankaran’s team made this happen much to the joy of all concerned.
It’s not the organizational capabilities of the new sporting power on the horizon BSSA that comes in for commendation but the way the entire show made a positive impact.
Thankfully, BSSA did not sit back after the event. Instead it brought out an impact assessment in a report copy which is with this writer.
The perfect Report of its only kind
Firstly, the outlay, content, graphics, quality production and the cornucopia of info it contains are on par with any top MNC, if not more. It’s almost a text book copy for every sports administrator, especially ones working at the top and policy level.
Many states have organized the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), but it’s unsure they assessed its impact scientifically and aesthetically. The BSSA can take pride in doing so. The Bihar report provides a sea of data but the one that catches the eye are a comparison of medals won by the host states.
It’s here one can see the unmistakable imprint of Raveendran Sankaran, who often says “Yeh Bihar hai, hum itihas likhete nahi, rachte hain (We are Bihar, we don’t write history but make it).”
Yes, truly the State of Bihar has made history not only in terms of above the mentioned organizational capability to host such a mega event, but also the kind of strides it made in the sports fields.
Bihar stood 28th in the first KYIG edition six years ago, but has now jumped 13 rungs to finish at 15th.
The immaculately prepared Impact Assessment Report — its not a run of the mill stuff but an extra-ordinary one by any standard, throws up an amazing outcome: Bihar has leapfrogged to an unbelievable 670% rise in terms of medals won!
The solid proof for Bihar’s success on the sports fields and turfs
There are four graphics created here based on real time data. The number of medals the hosts have achieved in the past editions are compared with the latest host, the BSSA. This yields an amazing 670%.
No doubts therefore the fortnight saw Bihar immersed totally in a sporting spectacle, leading to overwhelming response. 15 million Unique Users across all Social Media platforms (Insta, YouTube, Facebook and X), besides 1.3 + million interactions with viral content like reels and live coverages. Then there is abundance of traditional outlets, print in particular. (Story continues below the graphics too)
Next big thing in Bihar is Eleventh Asia Cup hockey
All these combined had definitely let to rekindle a passion for sports among the State’s vibrant population.
The role played by the identity of the Games, the professionally grafted ones like anthem, logo, mascot and the torch relays, largely helped to create a perfect launchpad for epoch making events to roll on.
If Bihar rises as a shining star – it’s long due – it will go a long way in India’s dream of becoming a global sporting power. One thing is sure: Bihar is on the right track, will overtake many established provincial sporting powers shortly if it continues to progress the way it has been in the last three to four years.
www.stick2hockey.com is India’s oldest hockey website. Launched in 1999, the website, edited and owned by hockey historian and author K. ARUMUGAM, has covered all
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