Patna: The state sports department has announced district-wise selection trials to identify talent in archery, badminton and taekwondo for specialised training programmes.Archery trials for boys and girls aged 12-14 years began on Aug 16 and will continue till Aug 19 for admission to the Eklavya State Residential Sports Training Centre.According to the schedule, trials were conducted in Siwan, Bhagalpur and Aurangabad on Aug 16, were conducted in Motihari, Katihar and Nawada on Aug 17, and it will be held in Gopalganj, Purnia and Jehanabad on Aug 18 and in Banka and Gaya on Aug 19.The department has earmarked venues by category. Trials in Siwan were held only for boys, while those in Motihari were held and those in Gopalganj will be held only for boys. Bhagalpur hosted both boys’ and girls’ categories on Aug 16, while Katihar is hosting and Banka will host both categories. Aurangabad conducted trials exclusively for girls on Aug 16, while Nawada is conducting and Jehanabad and Gaya will conduct trials exclusively for girls.The sports department said taekwondo selection trials for boys and girls in the 16-18 years age group were held on Aug 17 at BSS Collegiate +2, Begusarai, and will be held on Aug 18 at Sports Bhawan, Kishanganj.Candidates must carry their Aadhaar card, birth certificate, school certificate, sports certificate, passport-size photographs and Bihar domicile certificate. Only athletes meeting the prescribed age criteria will be eligible. However, medal winners and participants in recognised national and international competitions may avail of up to two years’ age relaxation as per rules.Officials said the exercise aims to identify promising athletes from districts and provide them with specialised coaching at an early stage. Selected archers will undergo training at the residential Eklavya centre, while successful badminton and taekwondo players will be groomed at District Centres of Excellence.The department has urged interested athletes to report at the designated venues with all required documents.
