Run For North East & Torch Relay held

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 22: The Run for North East- organised with the objective of creating awareness for the upcoming 12th South Asian Games, 2016 along with the Torch Relay- was held in the  city today amid much fanfare. The run was flagged-off from the Soram High School Field and culmited at the Nehru stadium. More than 5000 people including the volunteers for the Games took part in the run along with many eminent sports persolities from the state and the region which includes Arjun awrdee Bhogeshwar Barua, Padmashri Kunjarani Devi, swimmner Mithu Barua, Madhurjya Barua, Gilbertson Sangma, Elvis Ali Hazarika, Promila Bharali, Lalremsanga,Tayabun Nisha and others. Assam Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Ajit Singh along with veteran actor Pranjal Saikia were also present in the event.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbanda Sonowal handed over the Torch to sports icons Bhogeshwar Barua, Kunjarani Devi, Mithu Barua and Tayabun Nisha, and then flagged off the Run. In a brief speech Sonowal said, “The 12th South Asian Games is a great moment for the entire North Eastern region. The Games and the intertiol athletes would inspire the youths of this region and offer them a great intertiol exposure. The Games would also help India’s North East to showcase its great culture, values and rich heritage on the global platform.”

The “Run for North East” was followed by a colorful cultural function at the Nehru Stadium complex, showcasing the region’s cultural richness. Prominent artistes, like Borli Kalita, Barsha Rani Bishaya, Nishita Goswami, Shyamontika and Dikshu performed on the occasion bringing the crowd to their feet. Celebrities from the Assamese film fraternity including Biju Phukan also graced the occasion.