GUWAHATI: Kokrajhar is selected as one of the venues for the next edition of the Durand Cup. The CEM of BTC Pramod Boro, who is a keen lover of sports, in an interaction with the media shared his feelings to host the Durand Cup in Kokrajhar and the plans of his government to promote sports in the region. Here is the excerpt.
Q. Kokrajhar will be now on the football map of the country because of the Durand Cup. How do you think it will benefit the place?
Boro: Football is a very popular sport in Bodoland. We have been taking initiatives to improve the scenario in terms of developing facilities, identifying football talent as well as organizing important football tournaments. Last year, the Government of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) successfully organized the Inter Sixth Schedule Premier League 2022 (ISPL) followed by league matches of the Hero National Santosh Trophy with the support of the All- India Football Federation (AIFF). Now with the hosting of the Durand Cup, Kokrajhar will indeed be firmly established in the football map of the country. Being one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sports calendar of India, it is a matter of pride for us that Kokrajhar was considered as one of the venues.
Q. What are the present facilities available for football in Kokrajhar and how do you think the Durand Cup is going to change that?
Boro: The SAI Centre Kokrajhar ground and Kokrajhar District Sports Association (KDSA) ground are the two venues where we plan to host the Durand Cup matches. My government is supporting the development of these venues. Moreover, we have already allocated land in Kokrajhar for the construction of a 100 Crore Multipurpose Sports Stadium which was announced by Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma last year. Overall, I am optimistic that the Durand Cup which will facilitate short-term development of Sporting Infrastructure will lay strong foundations for the growth of sports in general and football in the region.
Q. Kokrajhar provided some talented footballers for the nation. How is the talent identified and what is done to make sure that the kids follow the right path?
Boro: We are in talk with the AIFF to open two football academies in Bodoland both for boys and girls with an intake capacity of 50 each. To run such academies, we require ‘A’-level coaches. We have already shortlisted coaches whom we will send to AIFF for ‘A’-level certification. In the meantime, we will hire coaches on the recommendation of AIFF and start the academies shortly under the aegis of the Department of Sports, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Once this is ready, we will be able to streamline the scouting of football talent in the Region. We are already supporting local-level clubs which are performing excellently at the State as well as Regional levels. I have announced a cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs to the top football clubs at the District level as some sort of financial assistance to improve their training conditions.
Q. How are the people of BTR excited about Kokrajhar hosting the Durand Cup?
Boro: People of BTR are natural sports lovers and are undoubtedly very excited about the upcoming Durand Cup matches. The ISPL 2022 and Hero Santosh Trophy matches witnessed huge crowds much beyond our expectations. Similarly, we are expecting the presence of huge numbers of sporting fans from across the region in the Durand Cup.
Q. Share your governments’ role in the development of sports scenarios in BTR.
Boro: After assuming charge of the government two and half years ago, my government has given extra emphasis on developing sports in BTR both in the urban and rural areas. We are already in the process of establishing mini stadiums in all the Sub Divisions of BTR. As I already mentioned a 100 crore Multipurpose Sports Stadium is being established at Kokrajhar, we are also coming up with a State of the Art Stadium at Udalguri along with a National Sports University.
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