Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the newly constructed international cricket stadium in Rajgir, Nalanda district, on Saturday, while also distributing appointment letters to 87 outstanding athletes and honor payments totaling ₹8 crore to 812 sportspersons.
Stadium Specifications
Built on 18 acres, the Rajgir Cricket Stadium accommodates approximately 40,000 spectators and features a six-story pavilion (G+5). The facility includes 13 pitches—six prepared with red soil from Maharashtra and seven with black soil from Mokama—along with a drainage system for monsoon water management.
The stadium meets BCCI standards with modern amenities including special pavilions for players, reserved seating for coaches and managers, VVIP stands, and dedicated media galleries. Officials stated the venue is equipped to host national and international cricket matches.
Kumar inspected the pavilion and cricket ground, receiving applause from athletes present at the venue. The stadium is expected to boost sports tourism in Rajgir while strengthening the local economy.
Employment and Recognition Program by CM NItish Kumar
At the State Sports Academy in Rajgir, Kumar distributed appointment letters to 87 athletes under the ‘Medal Lao Naukri Pao’ (Win Medal, Get Job) scheme. The group includes 39 women and 48 athletes selected across various government positions based on their achievements in national and international competitions.
Ten athletes were appointed as Police Sub-Inspectors, including eight women: Anshika Kumar, Sapna Kumar, Payal Priti, Nikhat Khatoon, Khushboo Kumar, Sultana Bano, Sweety Kumar, Mahi Shwetraj, Neeraj Kumar, and Bobby Kumar.
Honor Payments Distributed
The Chief Minister distributed ₹7.43 crore among 812 recipients, including 152 para-athletes, 631 athletes, 24 coaches, five sports associations, and one sports official across 44 sports disciplines. Among total athletes, 297 were women and 486 were men.
International athlete Shailesh Kumar received ₹75 lakh, Bobby Kumar ₹35 lakh, and Goldy Kumari ₹10 lakh in symbolic checks.
From 2022 to 2025, the Bihar government has distributed approximately ₹23.5 crore in sports honor payments to 2,085 outstanding athletes.
Officials Present
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar, Sports Minister Surendra Mehta, and other senior officials attended the ceremony alongside legislators and district administrators.
