State to host ‘Village Olympic Talent Hunt’: CM
GUWAHATI: Assam is eyeing its villages to scout talented sports persons who can win laurels for the state and country in global events.
In a departure from the past, the state which now has a sports policy “for the first time since Independence”, will inspire both wards and their guardians in rural Assam to take part at an event christened “Village Olympic Talent Hunt”.
Announcing this at an awards ceremony to honour the South Asian Games (held in Nepal recently) gold medalists from Assam here on Sunday evening, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the Village Olympic Talent Hunt would be held in five age categories – 10-20 years, 20-30 years, 30-40 years, 40-50 years and 50-60 years.
“The fact that even parents can take part in the games will help create a sports culture in families and more importantly, make sports a priority in families. As it is, the move is in sync with the endeavour of the state government to inspire sports persons to excel in sports through the Integrated Sports Policy, which incentivises performers,” Sonowal said.
He said that an environment for sports would be created in very village of the state with 500 playgrounds being constructed in the rural areas in the first phase under the Mukyamantri Samagra Gram Unnayan Yojana.
“We have been encouraging the same under a scheme in the tea gardens. Now we plan to create a budget for popularising sports at the panchayat level by sensitising the masses to make sports a way of life. Sports helps facilitate emotional connect and improve quality of life,” Sonowal said.
The chief minister further said that the sports policy of the state would be subsequently strengthened on the basis of performance of the athletes in global events such as the Olympics and Asian Games.
As it is, the state has seen a number of top-notch sporting events, including multi-disciplinary events of late, and is now gearing up for the third edition of the Khelo India Youth Games beginning January 10, 2020.
“As hosts, let us create a homely atmosphere for the visiting sports persons and officials during their stay during the event featuring over 10,000 sports persons and officials,” Sonowal, who launched the torch relay of the Khelo India Youth Games on Sunday evening, added.
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