GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday unveiled the host city logo of Guwahati for the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup and also launched the Winner’s Trophy Experience of the event at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium at Sarusajai in the city.
Notably, the winner’s trophy for FIFA U-17 World Cup has been on a tour of all six tournament host cities where the first FIFA tournament in India will be held and Assam is the second destination of this journey in the country.
Saying that it has been great opportunity for Assam to hold 9 matches of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Chief Minister Sonowal stated that the global event would catapult the state and region into world’s sporting limelight and make people from across the globe aware about Assam’s sporting potential.
Saying that football has always been very popular in the state and region and many footballers of the state have brought laurels to the country, Sonowal said the young players of Assam and Northeast would be inspired by watching the future global football stars in action and learn from the high standard of football that would be on display.
Informing about the government plans to set up a football academy in Assam to tap the immense footballing talent in the state and the initiative to develop 500 playgrounds in the state during 2017-18 under Chief Minister’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana, Sonowal reiterated the government’s commitment to make Guwahati the sports capital of India.
Commenting on budget provision to set up Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Academy and Sports School at Sarusajai Sports Satdium, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the government has given topmost priority to develop world class sports infrastructure in the state so that sporting talents form interior places can be nurtured.
Thanking the FIFA officials for the great recognition for the state as global sports venue, Sonowal urged the people of the state to support the event and attend the matches in large numbers. He also expressed hope that participating players from across the globe would take away a positive impression of the state in their hearts and urged the people to give a true account of the state’s famed hospitality during the global event.