Bihar Sports and Industries Minister, Shreyasi Singh inaugurated 52nd Bihar State Junior Boys' Kabaddi Championship in Patna on August 4, 2026. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By A Correspondent
Patna: The 52nd Bihar State Junior Boys’ Kabaddi Championship, organised under the aegis of the Bihar State Kabaddi Association, got off to a grand start on Tuesday at the Indoor Hall of the Patliputra Sports Complex. In the opening match, Patna made a winning start by defeating Sitamarhi 58-33. In other matches, Buxar outclassed Madhepura 42-13, while Begusarai edged past Siwan 34-30.
The championship was inaugurated by Bihar Sports and Industries Minister, Shreyasi Singh. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Bihar State Kabaddi Association President Apurva Sukant, while Association Chairman Kumar Vijay Singh welcomed the guests.
Addressing the gathering, Sports and Industries Minister Shreyasi Singh said the Bihar Government was continuously working to provide athletes with a better sporting environment and modern facilities. She said sports infrastructure was being developed rapidly across the state to strengthen the sporting culture.
She said that junior-level competitions such as this laid a strong foundation for the future of young players. The talent emerging from these events would go on to bring laurels to Bihar and the country at national and international levels in the years ahead. She urged all participants to compete with sportsmanship, discipline and dedication.
Among those present on the occasion were Ravindra Nath Choudhary, Executive Director of the Bihar State Sports Authority; Deputy Director Himanshu Singh; Assistant Directors of the Sports Department Sanjay Kumar and Mithilesh Kumar; Senior Sports Executive Anandi Kumar; Ramashankar Prasad of the Bihar Fencing Association; Ramakant Singh, Treasurer of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI); former international kabaddi players Rajeev Kumar Singh and Shama Parveen; BJP leader Sanjay Kumar Singh; Chairman of the Bihar State Kabaddi Association Referee Board Anand Shankar Tiwari; international kabaddi referee Rana Ranjit Singh; and several other dignitaries.
Bihar State Kabaddi Association President Apurva Sukant said kabaddi in the state was reaching new heights. He said the Association was committed to providing talented players from rural areas with the right platform and opportunities to progress.
He further said that a 30-member panel of technical officials had been appointed under the leadership of Referee Board Chairman Anand Shankar Tiwari to ensure the smooth and impartial conduct of the championship. The panel will oversee match operations and all technical arrangements throughout the tournament.
Association Chairman Kumar Vijay Singh said that 16 teams, comprising the winners and runners-up from qualifying tournaments held across the state’s eight zones, were participating in the championship. The teams have been divided into four pools. He said the tournament offered an excellent opportunity for young players to showcase their talent. Based on their performances, a probable Bihar squad will be selected. The shortlisted players will undergo a special training camp in Rajgir before the final team is chosen to represent Bihar at the National Junior Kabaddi Championship, scheduled to be held in Patna in November.
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