Announces Sumit Prakash to Lead the Youth and Sports Development Board of STAIRS Foundation in Bihar
Patna, September 29, 2025: The STAIRS Foundation (The Society for Transformation, Inclusion, and Recognition through Sports), a National Sports Promotion Organisation (NSPO) recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, today announced the launch of its flagship program, One Bihar One Goal. This transformative initiative aims to empower Bihar’s villages through sports and youth engagement, creating a robust and sustainable ecosystem to identify, nurture, and develop sporting talent from grassroots to international levels.
Alongside this landmark announcement, the Foundation revealed that Mr Sumit Prakash, Director and Founder of ALPHA Sports Academy, will Head the newly constituted Youth and Sports Development Board for Bihar. The move signals a major push to build professional, performance-driven pathways for young athletes across the state.
Key Initiative Highlights
● 'One Bihar One Goal' to identify and build the largest talent pool from Bihar by building youth clubs in every village, high-performance centres as pathways to national and international success.
● State Games will be held in November (or after the elections). Top athletes from Bihar will represent the state at the national level.
Press-Conference Dignitaries
- Chief Guest : Ms Shambhavi Choudhry – Member of Parliament, Samastipur
- Guest of Honour : Ms Shreyashi Singh – Member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Jamui
- Mr Siddhartha Upadhyay : Founder & President, STAIRS Foundation
- Mr Shiv Sharma : Chief Advisor Sports Excellence, Ex DDG, Sports Authority of India
- Mr Sumit Prakash : Director and Founder, ALPHA Sports Academy & Head, STAIRS Bihar Board
Members of the newly formed Bihar Sports Board:
– Mr Deepak Saha
– Philanthropist
– Mr Dev Kumar Singh
– Entrepreneur
– Mr Gyan P. N. Singh
– Entrepreneur, Logistics & Ashok Chitra Pvt Ltd
– Mr Sumanyu Bharadwaj
– Chairman, Medical College & Hospital
All these dignitaries extended their support to the initiative and reaffirmed the importance of grassroots sports in shaping the future of Bihar.
Vision for Bihar's Sporting Future
Speaking on his new role, Mr Sumit Prakash said, "Bihar has immense untapped sporting talent waiting for the right structure, exposure and mentorship. With STAIRS' national experience and the collective strength of our Bihar Sports Board, we are determined to create opportunities that take every child from the grassroots to the national stage."
“We are taking a decentralised approach to grassroots sports development, with active programs already running across multiple states under the One India One Goal vision, said Siddhartha Upadhyay, Founder and President of the STAIRS Foundation. “With One Bihar One Goal, we are committed to giving every boy and girl in Bihar access to structured opportunities in sports. Our goal is to identify athletes from the most remote corners of the state, develop them through high-performance programs, and create pathways that lead from village fields to national and international levels. Bihar is an essential pillar of our national vision, and Sumit’s leadership—supported by a strong, credible board—will ensure that young athletes here receive world-class support.”
Notes from the Dignitaries
Ms Shambhavi Choudhry, MP Samastipur), Chief Guest: “This collaboration between ALPHA and STAIRS Foundation is a tremendous step that aligns perfectly with the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision for grassroots sports. By starting with a statewide football talent hunt, we will lay the foundation for preparing our athletes to shine at the 2036 Olympics. Shambhavi Choudhary, MP, and Olympian & MLA Shreyasi Singh extend their support to the initiative.”
Ms Shreyashi Singh, MLA Jamui, Guest of Honour: “Across India we are witnessing unprecedented momentum in sports, and this initiative opens an entirely new horizon for the young players of Bihar. Together, we will create clear pathways in multiple sports, enabling our athletes to dream bigger and achieve more on the national and international stage.”
Mr Shiv Sharma, Chief Advisor – Sports Excellence, STAIRS Foundation and Former Deputy Director General, Sports Authority of India, said, ”Every deserving player needs not just infrastructure, opportunity, scouting, or training in isolation, but all of them together in a connected pathway. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strong platform has been created at the national level. The STAIRS Foundation will ensure that talent from Bihar receives the right opportunities to progress, serving as a bridge between the state and the Centre.”
The upcoming State Games in November (or post-elections) will serve as the initiative’s first milestone, with selected athletes advancing to the National Level Games under the ‘One India One Goal’ banner.
The program will establish Sports Youth Clubs in every village in Bihar and set up High-Performance Centres specialising in 15 sports to identify, train, and mentor young athletes. These centres will offer world-class facilities and exposure for talented children.‘One Bihar One Goal’ aligns with the National Education Policy’s emphasis on sports in holistic education and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for health, gender equality, and youth empowerment. It aims to foster grassroots sports, nurture new talent, and drive social development through active youth participation and the strengthening of local infrastructure.
About Stairs Foundation:
The Society for Transformation, Inclusion and Recognition through Sports (STAIRS), a National Sports Promotion Organisation recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is at the forefront of grassroots sports and youth development since its establishment in 2000. STAIRS has been recognised with the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar by the Hon’ble President of India for identifying and nurturing young talent nationwide. Committed to empowering India’s youth through the transformative power of sports, STAIRS integrates sports with education, health, and skill development programs, with the core belief centred on ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play, learn, and thrive. Our goal is to unleash the boundless potential of children across India.
