Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated an Invitational Prize Money Athletics Competition at Judges Field in Guwahati.
Organised jointly by Assam Athletics Association, Assam Olympic Association, Directorate of Sports and Sports Authority of Assam, the competition is being held strictly adhering to COVID 19 safety protocols.
It may be noted that 132 athletes from 31 districts will be vying for five events and each athlete will be given Rs 10 thousand, Rs. 6 thousand and Rs. 4 thousand for securing first, second and third position respectively.
Before inaugurating the competition, Chief Minister Sonowal paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal said that amid COVID 19 pandemic, the participation of the athletes from across the state is a testimony of their drive and zeal which would provide motivation to other players across the nation.
He also hoped that the gloomy atmosphere purportedly created by the COVID 19 pandemic will be dispelled by the spontaneous participation of the players.
Organising the competition and participating in it following all safety protocols will definitely be an example for other organizers and players alike.
He also said that for the promotion of sports, the Assam government enacted Sports Policy for encouraging sports and sports persons to take sports as a serious vocation.
Therefore, a conducive atmosphere has been augured in the state to give sports a fillip.
He also said that under Chief Minister’s Sammagra Grammya Unnayn Yojana, State government is preparing 500 grounds across the state using financial outlay of Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 lakh.
Moreover, for honing the sporting talents in the tea garden areas, Chief Minister’s Cup Inter-Tea Garden Football Tournament is being held which also generated huge success.