Assam's mega football tourney receives boost as PM Modi mentions it in Mann Ki Baat
Guwahati, June 29 (UNI) The much hyped football tournament Bodoland Chief Executive Member Cup Football Tournament got a much needed boost on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned it during his 124th Mann Ki Baat radio address.
The Bodoland CEM Cup Tournament 2025 is a football event started by the BTR Government with a total budget allocation of Rs 6.44 crore, the event aims to bring positive change in society through sports.
The agenda is to promote peace, unity, and community involvement. It also helps to find and support young football talent across Bodoland.
Terming the tourney as a welcome development to strengthen ties between the communities in Bodoland, the PM on Sunday said that the tournament also signifies how things are changing in Bodoland.
"The Bodoland region used to be known for conflicts alone in the past. However, the enthusiasm of the people, particularly the youth of the Bodoland has given a new identity to the region now," the PM said.
He added that numerous players from the Bodo heartland including Holicharan Narzary, Durga Boro etc have also encouraged young people across the country to dream.
It may be mentioned here that the CEM Cup, organised by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), aims to promote peace, youth engagement, and grassroots football development in an area once marked by unrest.
The tournament is organized at multiple administrative levels-including Village Council Development Committees (VCDCs), BTCLA Constituencies, Districts, and the Council Level- ensuring widespread participation and accessibility. This allows communities from the most remote villages to engage in organized sports and brings together football clubs from across the region, providing a platform for athletes to showcase their talents and for communities to engage in a shared cultural experience.
Assam Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had recently conveyed his best wishes to all the players for the Bodoland CEM Cup 2025 and said that sports is an excellent medium to develop the youth and channelise their energy in a better way through tournaments like this.
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