We need to work at grass root level: Abhijit Bhattacharya

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Former captain of Indian volleyball team Abhijit Bhattacharya, who is actively associated with former players to promote the game in Assam, is sharing a different plan they have chalked out. Bhattacharya, who is currently posted to Delhi and works with ONGC as a senior HR executive, also spoke about the campaign started by the former players to make the State plastic free. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): Tell us about the campaign that the former volleyball players of the State started to make the state plastic free.

Abhijit Bhattacharya (AB): Obviously the aim behind this campaign is to keep the environment free from plastic. However, at the same time, we also want to promote volleyball in the State through this campaign.

TS: Interesting. First you speak in detail about the campaign against plastic.

AB: We have started the campaign very recently in Guwahati. As per our plan different volleyball clubs and the associations will collect plastic items from their localities. On October 2 they will visit Guwahati and deposit all the items to us. We will hand them over to the authorities concerned.

TS: How will it make an impact on the development of the game in the State?

AB: Actually, we, the former players of the state, have recently come together to start a campaign— Mission 100. Rangoni Youth Sports Foundation of Tezpur is giving us logistic support. We’ve divided the mission in three parts— 100 balls, 100 players and 100 clubs – and it would be implemented in phases. At the same time we decided to start the campaign against plastic. We’ve approached ONGC seeking help in this regard, and have received positive response. They will provide us balls, jerseys and other equipment. The players and organizations, who are the part of this campaign, will receive a good number of balls and other equipment on October 2 in exchange of plastic.

TS: Please highlight the ‘Mission 100’ campaign.

AB: ‘Mission 100’campaign is started to promote volleyball in the State. The former players of the State feel that we need to work at the grassroots level to promote the game in the State. Volleyball is undoubtedly one of the most popular games in Assam, but there is dearth of proper infrastructure for it. Even the players don’t get sufficient number of balls for their regular practice. So, we have decided to arrange different facilities with some proper planning. Our first target is to distribute 100 balls, and if possible more balls to different academies and clubs spread across the State. In the second and third phases, we will try to produce 100 quality players in as many good clubs. We will also invite our national coach to Assam to train our coaches and will prepare a data base for the upcoming players.

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