Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday ceremonially kicked off the Guwahati Premier Football League at the Judges Field in the state capital where the tournament would be hosted between December 10, 2023, and January 10, 2024. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma, while saying that sports have the capability to fight numerous social evils, made an appeal to all to come forward to promote a sporting culture in Assam.


The Chief Minister said that initiatives like these would help football as a sport to regain its lost popularity in Assam and provide a potent platform to budding sportspersons from across the northeastern state to showcase their talents, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), said in a press release.


Referring to the popularity of football tournaments like the Bordoloi Trophy and A-Division League being held in the state in the past, Chief Minister Sarma said it is high time that football reclaims its position as one of the most favourite sports of the people of Assam. The Chief Minister thanked the Guwahati Sports Association (GSA) for organising the football tournament and the sponsors for extending a helping hand through their liberal financing of the same, the CMO release said.  


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In reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on transforming the country into a sporting superpower, Chief Minister Sarma said that sports help a nation gain instant recognition and appreciation on the world stage. The Chief Minister exuded confidence that events like these would provide the government with the opportunity to recognise talents from across the state who can then be nurtured through well-designed mentorship programmes, it added.  


Chief Minister Sarma also credited the ongoing ‘Khel Maharan,’ one of the biggest sporting events in the state, for providing an opportunity to the concerned authorities to identify extremely talented sportspersons who were hitherto away from the limelight, the release further said.


The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.


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