GUWAHATI, SEP 4: The Assam Olympic Association, along with the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Assam on Sunday announced a team of 272 persons who will compete in the forthcoming 36th National Games in Gujarat.
Team Assam will be competing in as many as 20 sporting events which will be held in six venues; i.e. Ahmedabad, Gandhi Nagar, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Delhi.
The press conference was addressed by Lakhya Konwar, General Secretary, Assam Olympic Association (AOA); Nibedan Das Patowary, Director, Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Assam; Raj Kakati, Chef-de-Mission of Team & Vice President, AOA; Arjuna Hima Das, Star Athlete from Assam as well as Tapan Das, Treasurer, AOA here today.
Team Assam will witness participation by many star athletes including Olympic Medalist Lovlina Borgohain, Shiva Thapa, Jamuna Boro and Ankushita Boro in Boxing; Arjuna Hima Das and Amlan Borgohain in athletics; Commonwealth medalist Nayan Moni Saikia, Tania Choudhury, Bangita Hazarika in Lawn Bowls; Promila Daimary in Archery; Poppy Hazarika in Weightlifting; Thoudam Kalita Devi in Fencing; Ashmita Chaliha in Badminton; and Shivangi Sharma & Bikram Changmai in Aquatics. With the strong presence of many experienced as well as promising talents from the state, the Team Assam is aiming to win a total of 57 medals, including 23 Gold, 21 Silver and 13 Bronze medals at the mega sporting event of the country.
The team’s event will begin on 30th September with Archery and culminate with Boxing on 12th October, 2022. The sporting events where team Assam will play include Archery, Football (Women), Yogasana, Roller Skating, Lawn Bowls, Golf, Cycling-Road, Weightlifting, Judo, Fencing, Wushu, Boxing, Triathlon, Squash, Athletics, Badminton, Beach Handball, Aquatics, Basketball, Cycling-Track and Shooting-Rifle & Pistol.
Speaking on the occasion, Lakhya Konwar, General Secretary, said, “Team Assam will have at least 272 persons at the legal sporting event to be held in Gujarat later this month. We are extremely hopeful and confident that the Team Assam will deliver an encouraging and proud performance for the state. With the availability of many star players of the state, the prospect of winning handsomely at the games is very bright.”
He further added, “The sports scenario in the state has improved tremendously in the state. Under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal as President of the Assam Olympic Association (AOA), we have been able to provide a platform to enable the sporting talents of Assam to prosper and perform at the highest level. The CM of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma has also extended every possible support for the growth and prosperity of sporting culture in the state. I thank the government for allowing air travel to all our athletes which will give them time to embrace the conditions at the games. We are happy that we have been able to qualify in the women’s football, rowing, golf women’s basketball this time. This is a testament of the promising sports arena that Assam has today. We are hopeful that we may get a few wildcard entries when we can send promising talents like Upasha Talukdar in Gymnastics. We remain steadfast to develop and achieve a sporting culture that our honourable PM Narendra Modiji has envisioned.”
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Assam, Nibedan Das Patowary, Director, Directorate of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Assam, said, “Government is extremely buoyed by the strength of Team Assam who are going to participate in the forthcoming National Games in Gujrat. Our Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken keen interest in the preparation and directed us to organise everything possible for the athletes so that they can prepare well. As per instruction by the Chief Minister, we will be sending all the athletes via aeroplane to Gujrat. This is the first time that the state government is organising flight travel for athletes competing at the national games. The government has already declared that all medal winners at the National Games will be rewarded with a Government employment as per norms. This is a huge encouragement for the sporting talent in the state, both the present players but also the future generations, to invest their time and effort to perform and excel in sports. We extend our best wishes to each and every athlete for a memorable performance at the games.”
Arjuna Hima Das also expressed her gratitude to the Government of Assam and the Assam Olympic Association for providing all the necessary support to prepare and perform at the National Games. The star athlete expressed confidence in Team Assam of a stupendous performance at the games. Das also requested everyone good wishes and luck for every athlete in Team Assam for a spirited performance at the prestigious National Games.