Kumari Geeta Yadav, a hockey player, has been chosen as a recipient of the ‘Khelo India Annual Scholarship’ by the Sports Authority of India. She hails from the residential sports academy, which is operated by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department at the State Sports Training Center in Bahtarai Bilaspur. Geeta Yadav will receive a scholarship of INR 6,20,000 annually. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has extended his congratulations and praised Geeta Yadav for this remarkable accomplishment, highlighting how her success will serve as an inspiration to other athletes. Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Mr. Umesh Patel also congratulated Geeta and emphasized the state government’s efforts to establish various sports academies that provide exceptional facilities in line with international standards. These initiatives aim to enable players to attain excellence and bring honor to the country through their training.
The assessment camp, organized by Khelo India in New Delhi from 16th to 20th May 2023, witnessed Kumari Geeta Yadav, a representative of the national team from Chhattisgarh, display exceptional performance in the West Zone Junior Hockey Competition held in Rajnandgaon. Based on her outstanding performance, Geeta Yadav, a trainee hockey player, was selected for the Khelo India Scholarship. Bahtarai Bilaspur hosts residential academies for hockey, archery, and athletics, which are well-equipped with modern training facilities. Recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Sports Authority of India, these academies provide superior training and amenities. The hockey academy comprises 57 players, while archery and athletics academies accommodate 12 and 26 players, respectively. A total of 95 players undergo training at these academies.
Sports Secretary Mr. Neelam Namdev Ekka, Sports Director Mrs. Shweta Srivastava Sinha, Head Coach of Bilaspur Academy Mr. Vikas Paul, Head Performance Manager, and all other officials have joined in congratulating Kumari Geeta Yadav for her remarkable achievement.
