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Assam is poised for a giant leap in the sports firmament with
the successful holding of the 33rd
 National Games
from February 9 to 18 last in the capital city of Assam,
Guwahati. The Games has provided the much-needed impetus to what
the sports fraternity of the State was looking forward to since
long – sports infrastructure of international standards.
In fact, over the past three decades, Nehru Stadium in Guwahati
had been the only venue hosting both sporting and non-sporting
activities.
But now things have changed drastically because of the National
Games in Guwahati. Altogether 18 new world-class sports
infrastructure has come up at a whopping Rs 360 crore – the
biggest investment for construction of sports infrastructure in
the region. “We have one of the best sports infrastructure
available in the State thanks to the steely determination of
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who in the capacity of
president, Assam Olympic Association lobbied hard for the Games
during the 32nd National Games in Hyderabad and
tasted success,” said Suren Ram Phookun, noted cricket umpire
and football referee and a member of the Local Organising
Committee for the 33rd National Games. “Assam today
can boast of having world class infrastructure that can host
even international sporting events like the Asian Games and the
SAF Games,” said Phookun.
Many others in the sports realm have echoed Phookun’s views.
Arjuna awardee athlete Bhogeswar Baruah said, “I never thought
that in my lifetime I will be able to see such beautiful
infrastructure for sports in Assam.”
Veteran sportsperson and sports journalist Pulin Das, who was
also the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the Games said:
“I am satisfied with the state-of-the-art facilities that have
come up for the Games`.” Agreeing to Das’ viewpoint, former
international discus thrower Tayabun Nisha said, “For the lovely
infrastructure built for the Games, I would like to thank the
Assam Government.”
Assam Olympic Association president and Chief Minister Tarun
Gogoi under whose leadership Assam could successfully staked its
claim for hosting the Games outbidding strong contenders like
Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Goa during the 32nd
National Games in Hyderabad feels sports organizers and the
people of the State actually deserve the credit. “All these
facilities have come up because sports lovers and the people of
my State rallied behind us. So it is they who deserve all
praise.”
The 33rd edition of the Games is going to herald the
dawn of a new sports chapter in Assam, with the organizers
coming up with some of the best infrastructure meeting Olympic
standards. Special mention may be made of the Rs 35 crore 30,000
capacity Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, the Rs 18 crore 1,500
capacity Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatics Complex, the Rs 26 crore
2,000 capacity Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi AC Indoor
Stadium, all at Sarusajai, the Rs 10 crore 2,000 capacity
Maulana Md. Tayebullah Hockey Stadium at Bhetapara, the Rs 12
crore 1,000 capacity Deshabhakta Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor
Stadium at RGB Sports Complex, Ulubari, the Rs 5 crore 500
capacity Rupnath Brahma Velodrome & Pavilion, the Rs 16 crore
1,000 capacity Indoor Stadium, all at Sonapur, and Rs 31.5 crore
3,000 capacity Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium at Amingaon. Water
sports events like canoeing and kayaking were held at Charon
Beel in Morigaon and rowing at Deepor Beel in Guwahati.
Existing sports facilities like the Nehru Stadium at Ulubari,
the NF Railway Indoor Stadium at Maligaon, the football ground
at the Guwahati University Stadium, the Veterinary College
Ground and the Ganesh Mandir Indoor Stadium at Khanapara too,
were spruced up for the big event.
All these newly built infrastructure together with the existing
ones witnessed the hosting of 32 disciplines - the highest
events in the history of National Games. Events like Lawn Ball,
Wushu, Rugby7s and Triathlon were introduced for the first time.
Located close to the main National Games athletic stadium, is
the sprawling Games Village at Borsajai on the outskirts of the
city on the East-West Corridor. Accommodation was arranged for
8,000 players and officials here. The Village built at an
estimated cost of Rs 113 crore comprises 252 two-bedroom and 448
three-bedroom apartments in 25 towers, equipped with all modern
amenities, including uninterrupted power through a 33-KV line
and direct water supply from the Brahmaputra.
Sports organizers are of one opinion that the National Games
would bring about a sea change in sports in Assam and the North
East as a whole and would provide upcoming sportspersons the
state-of-the-art infrastructure to unearth their latent talents.
“Not only Assam, sporting talents in the whole of the North East
will get inspired. The Games could be the launch pad for
ushering in some sort of a sports movement in the entire North
East part of the country,” said Baruah adding, “Assam was never
lagging behind in sports talents. What it was lacking was proper
infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment.”
“With 18 beautiful stadiums and world-class facilities, there is
no doubt that the city can emerge as an important hub for any
other national and international sporting events in the days
ahead,” said Phookun.
Sports organizer Pulok Lahiri, too, agrees. “With the kind of
infrastructure and equipment the players of the State will be
able to reap the benefits for the next 50 years.”
Be that as it may, the hosting of the 33rd edition of
the National Games in Guwahati will definitely boost games and
sports not only in Assam but also in the whole of the Northeast
and could be the springboard for the start of an Olympic
movement in the region. June
2007
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