Patna: Rajgir- the ancient city is known for both its Buddhist pilgrimage site and a tourist hot spot- has fast emerged as sports hub on national sports landscape, courtesy world class modern sports complex, Bihar Sports University and a host of other sporting facilities including an international cricket stadium are currently under construction.
A plenty of constructions to promote sporting activities have come up at Rajgir, courtesy Building Construction Department which has built in a phased manner the modern sports complex-cum-sports university that houses facilities for both indoor and outdoor games. Bihar Sports University is the state’s first and country’s sixth sports university which has come up at Rajgir.
The sports complex at Rajgir has given Bihar a new identity in the field of sports both at national and international level because the state has successfully organised Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 at Rajgir, recently held Khelo India Youth Games, 2025 held in five cities including Rajgir & Patna and Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025, held at Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna.
The facilities for organising 33 indoor and outdoor games have been developed at Rajgir that included Wrestling, Weightlifting, Volleyball, Badminton, Archery, Shooting, Kabaddi, Judo, Taekwondo, Boxing, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Basketball, Handball, Athletics Track, Shot put, Cycling, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Sepak Takraw and Swimming (50 M X 25M).
Besides, a hockey practise turf has also been prepared for the hockey players at Rajgir. A modern academic building (G+2) has been built at the sports complex that houses Bihar Sports University, offices for its officials besides constructing a 242 seating capacity auditorium.
The sports complex has 149 room boys hostel (G+4), 78 room girls hostel (G+4) for athletes, 100 seat capacity transit hostel (G+4), residential accommodation for coaches and a mess having the capacity to serve 324 people.
Residential facilities have also been made for Director, Deputy Director and Staff. A facility has also been made at the sports complex for the treatment of injuries that the players sustained during the games.
Building Construction Department’s Secretary Kumar Ravi said that Rajgir Sports Complex is an ambitious project of the department and the sports complex has provided playing grounds, training and practice facilities for different games under one roof.
Playing grounds have been constructed keeping in mind the national and international standards, Ravi said adding that the officials and engineers of the department have completed the construction of a grand sports complex on time despite the department faced several challenges including COVID-19 pandemic.
A major part of sports facilities for various games under sports complex has been completed, he said and added that several other multi-purpose indoor halls have been constructed for holding different games.
Recently, indoor hall, Basket ball court (28 M X 15 M), Handball court (40 M X20 M), Volleyball court (18 Mx 9 M) and practise turf for hockey have been inaugurated. A total of five games were held at Rajgir Sports Complex during Khelo India Youth Games 2025.
The world class hockey turf built in the Sports Complex is equipped with world astro turf imported from Australia and Germany’s sprinkler system. The Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy was successfully organised at the turf last year which is the testament of its international standard and capacity.
Inspired by the historic Nalanda University’s architecture, the sports complex at Rajgir is not only functional but also extremely captivating and aesthetic, the Secretary said adding that the complex is an ideal place for holding any international sporting events.
“Our goal is to provide world class platform to the youths of Bihar. Men’s Hockey Hero Asia Cup 2025 will be played at hockey turf at Rajgir,” Ravi said adding that construction of sports complex is in its final phase.
An international cricket stadium, having 40,000 spectators, is being built at Rajgir, he said and added that the work on stadium is on full swing and will be completed at the earliest.
