Grand welcome awaits for Sprinter Hima Das

Sonowal likely to receive sprinter at airport on Friday

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare Department is organizing a grand reception for Hima Das who is arriving in Guwahati on Friday.

The athlete will be felicitated on the same day at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.

Elaborating the programme, Sports and Youth Welfare Director Pabitraram Khound has informed the media that Hima, the new sensation in Indian athletics, will land at the LGBI Airport at 1 pm on Friday. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, along with top officials of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, is likely to be present at the airport to receive the ‘golden girl’. Later she will be felicitated at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in the evening on the same day. A cash award of Rs 1.6 crore will be handed over to the sprinter by the Chief Minister at the function.

Khound added: “Before the felicitation function Hima will visit the Samadhi Khetra of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika to pay tribute to the legendary singer. The athlete also wishes to visit the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium after her arrival in the city. We will fulfil her wish.”

The media briefing was also attended by Lakhya Konwar, the member secretary of the State Level Advisory Committee for Students and Youth Welfare. He said that several former renowned sports persons, including Bhogeswar Baruah, were invited to attend the felicitation function. The secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association, Rajiv Mehta will also be present at the function.