Barua calls for player skill development

Online Staff/ GUWAHATI, Nov 1: Calling for greater corporate participation in sports and urging the state to include players in skill development programmes, former international shuttler and Executive Director of Oil India Limited Madhurjya Barua underlined the need to strengthen Assam’s sports ecosystem while delivering the Pulin Das Memorial Lecture at India Club on Saturday.
The occasion marked the 107th birth anniversary of noted sports organiser, journalist, and administrator Pulin Das, and was organised by the Pulin Das Memorial Committee.
Barua, once India’s top-ranked men’s badminton player and a former junior national champion, described himself as a “product of Guwahati” and recalled how Pulin Das had shaped his early sporting years. Expressing concern that Assam continues to lag behind other states in sports development, he stressed that corporate entities must play a stronger role in nurturing young talent.
He also emphasised the need for professionalism and sincerity at the grassroots level and proposed that the Assam government integrate sportspersons into existing skill development schemes to strengthen the sports industry in the long term.
Barua further lamented that Pulin Das, a towering figure in Assam’s sporting history, never received the recognition he deserved, and urged authorities and the public alike to ensure that his legacy is properly honoured.
Padma Shri awardee Ajoy Dutta, attending as guest of honour, echoed Barua’s sentiments, noting that Pulin Das devoted his entire life to society’s welfare but received little acknowledgment in return.
The event was also attended by Nayan Prasad, president, and Kalyan Kumar Das, secretary of the Pulin Das Memorial Committee.