‘We have decided to amend the sports policy’
AYAN ACHARYA
“Under the new State sports policy, our government will give Class 1 government jobs to the Olympics, Asian Games, World Championship medallists. Apart from that, our government has announced to give government jobs to athletes who win any medal in National Games,” Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, said.
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, shared his vision for sports development at Sportstar’s first-ever North-east Sports Conclave. “We take our sports seriously and the North-east of the country has continuously produced national and international champions in sports like boxing, weightlifting, athletics, football, and hockey. M. C. Mary Kom, Bhaichung Bhutia, Hima Das, Lovlina Borgohain, Shiva Thapa, Mirabai Chanu have all done the region and the nation proud with their achievements at the world stage,” the CM said.
“We have sanctioned ₹1,000 crore for further developing sports infrastructure in this fiscal year — the highest-ever allocation for the State — and work has already started on many projects,” he added.
A world-class stadium is coming up on the outskirts of Guwahati, and the State will also build two sports complexes in Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur and 52 stadiums at several remote locations to take sports to every corner of the State. The CM also revealed that the State is building 100 open-air gymnasiums and will organise regular Village Olympics at the Gaon Panchayat, Block and District levels. “We want not just to create international athletes but also promote a healthy lifestyle so every citizen can benefit,” he said.
Recalling the heroic run of Assam’s Bhogeswar Baruah, who won the gold medal in the men’s ■00m at the Asian Games in Bangkok 1966, the CM said: “Every year, on his birthday — September 3 — Assam celebrates the Abhiruchi Sports Day. My government and I plan to ensure that this Sports Day grows from strength to strength and becomes an example for the celebration of sports in the country. Recently we have decided to amend the sports policy and ensure a definite percentage of government jobs reserved for sportspersons under the sports quota.
“Under the new State sports policy, our government will give Class 1 government jobs to the Olympics, Asian Games, World Championship medallists. Apart from that, our government has announced to give government jobs to athletes who win any medal in National Games.
“On the occasion of Baruah’s ■5th birthday, earlier this year, we had held the first Sports Pension Award Ceremony and we are providing ₹10,000 regular sports pension to 99 sportspersons.
A one-time financial award of ₹50,000 was also given to 153 sportspersons and winners in Olympics, Asian Games, CWG and National Games. I want to assure [Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist] Lovlina (Borgohain) and other young sportspersons that I and my government will be always with them, supporting and guiding them in every step.”