GUWAHATI: The yearlong Centenary Celebration of Sports Journalism in Assam came to an end at the DTRP Indoor stadium here today. The closing ceremony, organized by the Assam Sports Journalists Association (ASJA), was attended by former India hockey captain and president of Hockey India Dilip Tirkey as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering Tirkey said, “I congratulate the sports journalists of Assam on achieving this milestone. I must say journalists play a vital role in the promotion of sports and sportspersons. And the role was even more crucial in the earlier days. Only a handful of people used to watch the game, but the next day, the match reports go to the doorsteps of lakhs of people through newspapers.”
He also appreciated Assam players like Lovlina Borgohain, Hima Das, Nayanmoni Saikia and Amlan Borgohain among others for brining laurels to the country. Apart from that, Tirkey highlighted the role played by Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma in promoting sports.
Earlier, veteran Italian sports journalist and president of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Gianni Merlo joined the programme online and extended his greetings on the special occasion.
Athlete Hima Das, Lawn Bowls player Nayanmoni Saikia, former footballers Toshen Bora and Swadhin Dekaraja, Assam Olympic Association (AOA) general secretary Lakhya Konwar and Director of Sports and Youth Welfare, Govt of Assam, Prodip Timung, among others were present on the occasion.
A host of sportspersons, sports journalists, sports organisers and sports promoters were felicitated for their contributions towards sports journalism.
ASJA president Subodh Malla Barua who delivered the welcome speech, thanked everyone for helping to make the event a grand success.
Marking the occasion the ASJA also released an anthology on the history of sports journalism in Assam. It is named Satadhara. The occasion also comprised publication of a photographic flashback on the yearlong celebrations, named Lensography@100.
Another prime attraction of the closing ceremony was a chorus, composed specially for the occasion by noted lyricist, Chandana Barua, that was sung by some of the noted artistes of Assam, including Dr Sangita Kakati, JP Das, Mallabika Bora, Ashimjyoti Baruah, Dr Anjanjyoti Choudhury along with noted personalities such as Biren Singha, Swapnanil Baruah etc.
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