By our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 28: Sports Authority of India (SAI) has taken a series of steps to uplift the sports scerio of Assam. Among the plans, which would be implemented in phase manner, included a new training centre at Lakhimpur, upgradation of Tinsukia, Kokrajhar Special Area Games Centre, and purchase of new equipment along with appointment of new coaches.
Hira Ballabh, the secretary of the SAI, today announced the different upgradation schemes of his organization which are made exclusively for Assam. Talking to the media person at the SAI Regiol Centre in the city Ballabh, who is now in the state to inspect the different infrastructures of the SAI, said," Athletes of the North East are regularly giving 30 percent of the Intertiol medal to our country. So we know that there is no dearth of talent. We are trying our best to provide best training facilities to the athletes of this region so that they can bring more and more medals from the different intertiol meets.".
He also added, "The governing body of SAI in its recent meeting, which was presided over by the Union sports Minister Sarbanda Sonowal, approved series of different new plans for Assam. These plans will be implemented in phase manner to construct new training centre and upgrade the existing infrastructures. As a part of it a new training centre will come up at Lakhimpur with a cost of Rs 35-40 crore. The centre will be equipped with 100 bed hostel, synthetic track, multipurpose indoor hall, soccer field and few other facilities. On the other hand 33 crore has been approved for the upgradation of Special Area Games Centre in Tinsukia. Kokrajhar Special Area Games Centre will also get Rs 10.23 crore for the same purpose. The indoor facility of the SAI Regiol Centre in Guwahati will be upgraded and the centre will also get new equipment. Apart from that an archery academy will be set up at Tapesia. SAI has also plan to increase the number of young trainees in different centers and will appoint new coaches."
Meanwhile keeping in mind the 2017 World Cup SAI has planned to develop the ground of the Regiol Centre in the city. "We already received the guide lines of the FIFA and the ground will be developed as per it," said Ballabh. The media briefing was also attended by Subhash Basumatari, the director in charge of SAI Regiol Centre.