Assam Olympic Association celebrates Olympic Day in Tezpur

TEZPUR: The Olympic Day Run was held in Tezpur on Monday.  The event, organised by the Assam Olympic Association in collaboration with the Sonitpur District Sports Association, was held at Polo Field and was flagged off by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and the President of the Assam Olympic Association (AOA) Sarbananda Sonowal. The event witnessed participation from athletes, students, and sports enthusiasts across the region.

Speaking at the occasion, Sonowal said, “Sport is not just a competitive activity. It shapes health, fosters a sound mind, and builds strong character. Assam has tremendous potential in this field, and it is our responsibility to discover and nurture the hidden talent from every village and district.”

The minister highlighted the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost India’s sporting ecosystem, particularly through initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which provides financial and logistical support to aspiring athletes.

Referring to Assam’s past milestones, Sonowal noted how Guwahati rose to prominence as the nation’s sporting capital during the South Asian Games, which laid the foundation for international stars like Hima Das and Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain. Adding on, Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the role of grassroots sports and added, “Grassroots sport is creating a silent revolution in rural Assam. The Assam Youth Olympics has become a powerful platform for unearthing grassroots talent from every corner of the state. This initiative is not just about medals—it’s about igniting dreams..”

In an emotional moment, Sonowal also offered heartfelt homage to late Rajen Barthakur, a respected sports patron from Tezpur, and pledged to continue his legacy by taking concrete steps to uplift Assam’s sports sector.

Joining him at the today’s event were Assam Sports Minister Nandita Gorlosa, Tezpur MP Ranjit Dutta, Tezpur MLA Prithviraj Rabha, Assam Olympic Association General Secretary Lakshya Konwar, prominent athlete and Arjuna Awardee Hima Das and others.

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