BARPETA: The district-level competitions of Khel Maharan 2.0 in Barpeta wrapped up successfully, with the victorious participants now preparing to represent the district in the State Level competition. The closing ceremony was held with much excitement and featured the presence of notable figures, including former International Athlete Taibun Nessa, who attended as a special guest.
The event was chaired by District Commissioner Rohan Kumar Jha, IAS, and graced by the honorary presence of Sorbhog MLA Manoranjan Talukdar. Additional District Commissioners Geetashri Lachit, ACS (Sports ADC), Jayanta Bora, ACS, along with Dr. Ramen Talukdar, Principal of FAAMCH, Barpeta, social worker Jitu Talukdar, and the Chairpersons of the five Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs) for Khel Maharan 2.0, were also present at the event. Dhrubajyoti Deka, DSO of Barpeta, and Rana Pratap Saikia, DIPRO of Barpeta, played a key role in the event’s success.
In her speech, Taibun Nessa motivated the youth by recounting her experiences as a national-level athlete. She urged the participants to cultivate a competitive spirit and reassured those who didn’t win medals that their perseverance would pave the way for future success. Nessa also commended the Assam government’s initiative of providing jobs to exceptional athletes, praising Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership in promoting sports in the state.
A major highlight of the event was the thrilling Under-17 football match between Barpeta (SC) LAC and Mandia LAC, which enthralled the audience with its intensity and sportsmanship. MLA Manoranjan Talukdar lauded the Khel Maharan initiative, emphasizing its importance in offering rural athletes the platform to showcase their talents and gain national recognition.
The ceremony ended with District Commissioner Rohan Kumar Jha and other special guests handing out trophies and medals to the district winners. These winners will now represent Barpeta in the State Level competition of Khel Maharan 2.0. The final phase of the event will include top performers from different sports, except swimming, which will be held at the Zonal level.
The district-level competitions in Barpeta, held from February 3-5, 2025, included sports such as volleyball, football, swimming, chess, cycling, athletics, and kabaddi. Khel Maharan, Assam’s flagship sports initiative, continues to nurture grassroots talent and foster a culture of athletic excellence across the state, providing a platform for future sports stars to emerge.