GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal felicitated the Champion Teams of 8th Hockey India Sub-Junior National Championship -2018 (boys and girls) at a function held at Mandhabdev International Auditorium here on Tuesday.
In the 8th Hockey India Sub-Junior National Championship -2018 (boys and girls) held at Hojai and Kaliabor respectively in Asam , the boys and girls teams of Assam emerged victorious. In recognition to the feat, Chief Minister Sonowal felicitated the players and gave away cash award of Rs. 25,000 each to all players and Rs. 20,000 each to coach and support staff.
Chief Minister Sonowal said that sports had been one of the thrust areas of the state government as the present dispensation has been taking several steps for the promotion and development of sports in the state. He also said that realising the immense potential of sports in the state, the government had decided to set up an exclusive Sports University at Chabua after the name of Sri Sri Aniruddha Dev.
Moreover, the government has taken several other steps for the infrastructure creation of sports in the state like building 500 state-of-the- art 500 playgrounds at the village level in the state. He also said that his government was also on the threshold of starting indigenous sports events at all villages in Assam from this month. He also informed that in the budget this year, the State government has earmarked Rs. 20 crore for installing flood-lights stadia in Nogaon, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Diphu, Jorhat and Karimganj.
Congratulating the players for helping Assam to emerge winner in the 8th Hockey India Sub-Junior National Championship-2018 and bringing laurels to the state, Sonowal said that the feats of the players would act as a catalyst to the State government’s bid of making Assam a hub of India’s sporting activities. He also appealed to the players to work hard and climb the ladder of success in their sporting endeavour. He at the same time appealed to the teachers and parents to help the children to imbibe love for sports in them and become established players in their life. He also advocated for collective approach between the government and the people at large for the promotion of sports in the state. He also hailed the achievement of both the teams and said their success would unleash a competitive sports atmosphere in the state.