Published on Nov 14
GUWAHATI: Preparations for the next National Games and the regular organisation of major sporting events, including the Assam Youth Games and Assam State Games, were among the key issues discussed at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Assam Olympic Association (AOA) held at a city hotel on Saturday.
The meeting was chaired by AOA president and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and attended by representatives of various state and district sports associations.
Emphasising his vision for the development of sports in Assam, Sonowal in his address in the meeting said, the association must establish a clear pathway from grassroots talent identification to international sporting excellence.
“Our responsibility is to create a clear pathway from grassroots talent identification to international sporting excellence. From the Assam State Games and Assam Youth Games to our preparations for the National Games, we must create more opportunities for our athletes to compete, improve and excel,” he said.
He also stressed the need to strengthen district-level sporting infrastructure and develop a comprehensive ecosystem supported by quality coaching, sports science, nutrition and sports psychology. Sonowal added that talented youngsters from all communities and regions, including tea garden areas, remote villages, hills and riverine belts, must get equal opportunities to excel in sports.
Briefing the media after the meeting, AOA secretary Lakhya Konwar announced that the next edition of the Assam Youth Games would be held in Dibrugarh in January 2027, while the Assam State Games are scheduled to take place in Guwahati in July 2027.
The meeting also finalised September 2027 as the month for organising the 2nd Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards.
On preparations for the next National Games, Konwar said state sports associations had been advised to prepare lists of athletes who had qualified for the mega sporting event.
Assam Finance Minister and AOA senior vice-president Jayanta Malla Baruah, Political Secretary and Assam Cricket Association (ACA) chairman Taranga Gogoi, MLA Shiladitya Dev, along with other office-bearers, association members and distinguished guests, were present at the meeting.
PHOTO CAPTION: President of AOA Sarbananda Sonowal addressing in the meeting