February 16, 2020: “Sports has the power to unify the society and strengthen peace and harmony. The young generation must take up sports as a way of life and strive to achieve excellence. The youth must stay away from drugs and take care of their health by engaging in sports activities sincerely”, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal yesterday said while distributing financial assistance to 1000 sports persons at a programme organized by Sports and Youth Welfare Department at Nehru Stadium in the city.

​The programme organized on Monday saw the distribution of Rs. 50 thousand each to 1000 sports persons, sports pension to former players and one-time financial grant-in-aid, award to Assam National Social Service, distribution of equipment to players of Khelo India Youth Games-2020 among others. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the renovation works of Bimala Prasad Chaliha Swimming Pool, inaugurated the newly constructed building of Assam Fencing Association at Nehru Stadium premises and virtually inaugurated 200 playgrounds in the state under CMSGUY.

​Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister highlighted the reach and popularity of a sportsperson all across the world and said no other field provides such reach. He also said that earlier the vision and planning were constricted as far as sports development was concerned in the state and the present state government is taking a lot of initiatives for rapid progress of sports infrastructure and sporting culture in the state. He cited the example of Hima Das who achieved success in the global sports field through dedication and perseverance and brought laurels to the state and the country.

​Saying that the state government has implemented Assam Sports Policy to encourage sportspersons and safeguard the interests of the players, Sonowal informed that the state government has provided financial assistance to Hima Das and other sports persons under the policy and decision has also been taken to appoint her as DSP in Assam Police. He urged the aspiring players to take inspiration from the success of Hima Das and also called on the parents to encourage and motivate their children for taking up sports.

​Highlighting state government’s initiative such as organizing football tournaments at tea gardens, village Olympics for unearthing sports talents from the grassroots, Sonowal said that sports infrastructure has been developed at a rapid pace in the state and a conducive environment for sports has been encouraged.

​Union Minister of State for Food Processing Rameswar Teli, Member Secretary of SLAC Lakhya Konwar also spoke at the programme and highlighted the achievement of the present state government in making Assam one of the top destinations for big sports events in the country.

Guwahati Development Department Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Legal Adviser to Chief Minister Shantanu Bharali, Commissioner & Secretary of Sports and Youth Welfare Department Moloy Bora, Director Sports and Youth Welfare Dharmakanta Mili, former footballers Gilbertson Sangma, Debashis Roy, veteran sports journalist Premadhar Sarma, sports organizer Pranoi Boidoloi were also present in the programme.