Amend sports policy to tap talents: All Assam Students' Union

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has urged the State Government to bring an amendment to the State Sports Policy to discover more sporting talents from rural areas, to groom them and to enable them to excel in sporting events.

AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath told The Sentinel on Thursday that the sports policy adopted by the previous BJP-led government in the state is focused more on promoting those who excelled in national and international sports events. "This is necessary, but the development of sports infrastructure is a must," he said.

"The entire Assam is now elated and proud of Lovlina Borgohain who won the Olympic bronze medal. There are reasons to feel proud and to be elated. But the State will have more reasons to celebrate and feel proud in future if it can discover the hidden sports talents in villages. The journey and struggle for finding hidden talents and then grooming them to win medals at prestigious sports events are very tough. The State Government has to amend the sports policy in a way to support talented sportspersons' struggle in their journey to excel in national and international events," Nath said.

The AASU leader said that the lack of suitable sports infrastructures, coaching camps and coaches at the district level always come in the way of talented sportspersons of the state to excel. He said that the previous BJP-led government could not implement the sports policy up to the mark to develop suitable sports infrastructures in the State.

"A euphoria, inspiration and positive vibes have been created in the State by Lovlina Borgohain's Olympic medal. The State Government must exploit this situation to discover and groom many more sports talents. Many parents are now motivated to encourage their children to practise sports. Many youths in Goalpara, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon play football extremely well. But lack of coaching and infrastructures are major hindrances for these players. The stadium in Goalpara district is in dilapidated condition," Nath said.

Earlier in the day, Nath along with AASU general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah, chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjya and adviser Prakash Chandra Das met Lovlina Borgohain in the city and felicitated her. The AASU delegation, while extending the best wishes to Lovlina, has expressed the hope that she will win a gold medal in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Also Read: Lovlina's feat a source of inspiration for youth: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

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