Bihar clears way for hosting international cricket, Rajgir stadium handed to BCA

Rajgir stadium

The Bihar government has paved the way for international cricket in the state by approving the transfer of management of the new Rajgir International Cricket Stadium to the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA).

The BCA is officially affiliated with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which means the stadium can now host both domestic and international matches.

Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat Department, said the cabinet had given “in-principle approval” to transfer the Rajgir State Sports Academy-cum-International Cricket Stadium to the BCA. “This decision clears the way for national as well as international cricket matches to be organised in Bihar,” he was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

Along with this, the cabinet also sanctioned Rs 574.34 crore for acquiring 101 acres of land in Dumri, Punpun, near Patna. This land will be used to develop a large sports complex equipped with advanced training facilities. Officials said the project aims to create more opportunities for large-scale competitions and to provide modern infrastructure for athletes in Bihar.

Chaudhary added that Bihar has made steady progress in sports, and these new facilities will give young athletes better training grounds and platforms to showcase their talent.

Job opportunities for athletes

In another major decision, the government approved a special recruitment process under the Bihar Exceptional Players Direct Recruitment Rules, 2023. As part of this, 10 athletes from the state, five men and five women, will be directly recruited into government jobs.

The Bihar Cricket Association welcomed the government’s move. At a press conference in Patna, the BCA said the decision would “give Bihar cricket a new identity” by providing international-standard facilities and fostering new cricketers.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 750 crore, the Rajgir sports complex covers 90 acres and includes indoor and outdoor stadiums for 24 sports. The cricket stadium itself can seat 40,000 spectators and is expected to be ready by the end of this year.