Shillong: The Assam Rifles, one of the oldest paramilitary force in the world with its headquarters in the Meghalaya capital, is going to add another feather to its cap in the New Year when Assam Rifles Public School (ARPS), Laitkor, Shillong will get converted to a 'Sports School' having facilities for training in three streams of athletics, archery and fencing.
A senior official from the school's authority had said, "The sports school, which will be inaugurated on January 4, 2021, will be known as ARPS (Sports), Laitkor, having 50 boys and 50 girls students selected by Sports Authority of India (SAI) who will be coached and trained by the personnel of SAI. This school will become the first such school of its kind in the northeast."
The Assam Rifles has 42 Assam Rifles Public Schools across the northeast for providing better education to children of its soldiers as well as locals. Over the years, all ARPS have made a substantial contribution in providing quality education to children.
The senior official added, "The Assam Rifles and SAI are signing an MoU for initially inducting 100 students with proven/potential talent in athletics, archery and fencing. All expenditure on academics and training of the students will be sponsored by SAI under the 'Khelo India' scheme."
Director-General of Assam Rifles, Lieutenant General Sukhdeep Sangwan has been instrumental in the conversion of ARPS Laitkor to a Sports School on the line of Motilal Nehru School of Sports, Rai Sonipat, Haryana, said the official.
Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijuju was involved in this initiative of Assam Rifles since the beginning and will be inaugurating the ARPS (Sports), Laitkor in a glittering ceremony. The inauguration ceremony is likely to be attended by the Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, besides other senior Army, CAPF and government officials.