B.D. College, Patna

Sports are an integral part of the holistic education philosophy at Bhuwaneshwari Dayal College. The college recognizes the importance of physical fitness, teamwork, and competitive spirit in shaping student character. The sports infrastructure is designed to cater to a wide range of athletic activities, from traditional Indian games to modern competitive sports, fostering a vibrant sporting culture on campus.

Here is a breakdown of the key infrastructural components:

1. Outdoor Sports Facilities

The college does not have its own playground but provides facilities for outdoor games to its students at the nearby Patliputra Sports Complex.

• Athletics Track: The main field has a dedicated cinder or grass track for running events (sprint, middle and long distance running). It serves as the main venue for annual athletic competitions.
• Cricket Ground: A well-maintained cricket pitch with a grassy outfield is available for practice and inter-college matches. Practice nets are also provided for batting and bowling practice.
• Football Ground: The main field is often marked for football, with goal posts at either end. It serves as a multi-purpose ground for various activities.
• Hockey Field: A designated field for hockey, adhering to standard dimensions, is available for practice and matches.
• Volleyball Courts: One or more outdoor courts with sand or hard surfaces are available for daily practice and competitions.
• Basketball Courts: Standard, paved outdoor basketball courts with fiberglass or concrete backboards and hoops.
• Kabaddi Court: A clearly marked court for the traditional Indian sport of Kabaddi, which is particularly popular during inter-college tournaments.

2. Indoor Sports Facilities

To ensure sporting activities continue uninterrupted during extreme weather, the college provides indoor facilities.

• Multi-Purpose Indoor Hall (Badminton & Table Tennis): A central indoor sports hall is a key feature. This hall typically includes:
• Badminton Courts: Marked courts with proper flooring and high ceilings for shuttle play.
• Table Tennis Tables: Multiple tables for practice and tournaments.
• Space for Chess and Carrom: Designated areas within the hall or in separate rooms for mind sports, with official boards and equipment.
• Gymnasium: A well-equipped gym with basic fitness machines (treadmills, stationary bikes), free weights (dumbbells, barbells), and strength-training equipment is available for students and faculty to maintain physical fitness.

3. Equipment and Gear Support

• Sports Equipment Store: The college maintains a dedicated store room for sports equipment, managed by the Sports In-charge or Department.
• Inventory: It stocks quality equipment for all supported sports, including cricket kits (bats, pads, balls), footballs, volleyballs, basketballs, hockey sticks, badminton rackets, shuttlecocks, table tennis balls, and chess/carrom boards.
• Athletics Equipment: Starting blocks, discus, shot put, javelins, and high jump poles are also part of the inventory.
• Provision for Students: Equipment is issued to students for regular practice and during tournaments.

4. Administrative and Organizational Support

• Sports Office: A dedicated office for the Physical Education Director and sports staff. This office manages:
• Scheduling of grounds and facilities.
• Student registration for different sports.
• Planning and coordination of inter-college and intra-college tournaments.
• Budgetary Allocation: The college administration allocates a specific annual budget for sports, which includes purchase of equipment, provision of playgrounds, travel of teams to university level competitions and honorarium for coaches.

5. Training and Coaching Support

• Qualified Staff: The college employs qualified Physical Education Directors and coaches to train students, refine their techniques, and improve their performance.
• Training Schedules: Regular practice schedules are established for various sports teams, especially in the run-up to university championships.

6. Event Management Infrastructure

• Pavilion and Seating: Basic seating arrangements or a pavilion for spectators during sports events and the annual athletic meet.
• Public Address System: The college's audio-visual equipment is used for commentary and announcements during sports events.

Areas for Potential Enhancement

To further elevate the sporting ecosystem, the college could focus on:

• Synthetic Surfacing: Providing synthetic surface to the athletics track and laying synthetic turf for hockey to meet the standards of national level competition, if possible, providing own playground from the State Government.
• Swimming Pool: The addition of a swimming pool would introduce aquatic sports to the college's portfolio.
• Dedicated Weight Training Room: Expanding the gymnasium into a more comprehensive strength and conditioning center.
• Hostel Facilities for Athletes: Providing dedicated hostel accommodation for out-of-station athletes to facilitate their training.

Conclusion

The sports infrastructure at Bhuwaneshwari Dayal College provides a solid and comprehensive foundation for promoting physical education and competitive sports. With a blend of well-maintained outdoor fields, functional indoor facilities, and essential administrative support, the college successfully encourages student participation in athletics. This infrastructure not only helps in identifying and nurturing sporting talent but also plays a crucial role in building discipline, teamwork, and leadership qualities among students, contributing significantly to their overall development.