3 days ago
Assam gears up to host nat'l games after two decades
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Guwahati: Assam is progressing with plans to organise the National Games in 2027, Chief Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma
announced on Saturday while inaugurating two key sports academies in North Guwahati.
The state last hosted the National Games in 2007.
Sarma stated that all matches of the upcoming National Games will be hosted here in Guwahati. "We have already started initial preparation for organising national games. But the games will be held after the election (assembly polls to be held in 2026)," he told the media. Although the state assembly polls are likely early next year, Sarma confirmed that the games are unlikely to take place in 2026.
"We are going ahead targeting 2027.
All the games will be held here. We have been informed that the finals will also be held here only. Definitely, the sports lovers are enthusiastically waiting for the national games," he added.
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eanwhile, Sarma inaugurated the permanent site of the Assam Cricket Association's Cricket Academy and the Guwahati Town Club's Football Academy at Fulung in North Guwahati on Saturday.
According to a govt. release, the Assam Cricket Association's Cricket Academy campus is equipped with 10 practice wickets, a cricket ground with five centre wickets, one of the largest indoor cricket halls in the country with 10 wickets, residential facilities for players, and provisions for technical directors, coaches, and other staff.
The Guwahati Town Club's Football Academy features two football grounds, a 60-bed hostel, and a football pavilion, with future plans to arrange indoor games.
"Both academies have provisions to impart training under the guidance of coaches of international standards," the release added.
Sarma said that through these two academies, major sporting infrastructure for both football and cricket has been created to support and encourage budding sportspersons. He stated, "With systematic training, guidance from national and international standard coaches, and regular monitoring, positive outcomes could be expected, thereby fulfilling the purpose of establishing the academies."
Preparations are also underway to build sports infrastructure in Chandrapur to support Assam's aim of hosting the National Games, officials said. Additionally, an Olympic-standard swimming pool is being constructed next to the badminton stadium in Amingaon in North Guwahati, while around 100 stadiums are currently under construction across the state.
The Chief Minister emphasised that proper utilisation of existing sports facilities could enable Assam to produce quality sportspersons and enhance its achievements in sports. However, he expressed concern that, relative to the scale of infrastructure developed, the emergence of good players has been limited. Thus, the Chief Minister emphasised that the central focus must remain on the development of athletes.
Over the past five years, Assam has witnessed notable successes through Hima, Lovlina, and Nayanmoni. Yet, Sarma stated that the state has the capacity to attain a higher level of accomplishment.
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