GUWAHATI: Sprint sensation Hima Das has pulled out of the IAAF Continental Cup as the Athletics Federation of India wants her to give rest after a hectic season which saw her become the junior world 400m champion.
The prestigious tournament is to be held in Czech Republic from Saturday. Hima was initially among seven Indian athletes who were to take part in the season-ending IAAF event in Ostrava on September 8 and 9 but has now been replaced by Australia’s Anneliese Rubbie as the second runner from Asia-Pacific.
Chief Minister Sarbanadnda Sonowal on Friday felicitated Hima Das, the outstanding athlete of Assam for her recent achievements in the Asian Games 2018 and IAAF World U-20 Championship 2018 at a function held at Srimanta Sankardev International Auditorium here.
He also assured to help Hima Das with modern and advanced training so that the sprinter can carry forward her gold run in the coming international events. He also handed over a cheque worth Rs. 1.60 crore to Hima Das. He also handed over an offer letter to Hima to make her the Sports Ambassador of Assam. Sonowal also offered her a job in the senior category of Sports and Youth Welfare Department and requested Hima to consider the offer.
Sonowal while congratulating Hima Das on her extraordinary achievements in the recently concluded Asian Games said, “Assam is proud of her achievements. The success of Hima Das will be a source of inspiration and encouragement for the coming generation of players in the state”.
Sonowal also said that the success of Hima Das was a step towards of transforming Guwahati into Sports Capital of the country. He also said that the success of Hima Das was a message to the world about the sporting talents available in Barak, Brahmaputra, hills and plains of Assam. Responding to Secretary General of India Olympic Association Rajeev Mehta’s request of setting up a Sprinter Academy in Assam, Sonowal said that State government was seriously considering for establishing Sprinter Academy in the State to provide advanced training to the budding sprinters.
Sonowal at the same time congratulated Hriday Hazarika from Assam for winning gold at ISSF World Championships.