Assam: CM Sarma inaugurates high-performance sports training and rehabilitation centre

GUWAHATI, Jan 25: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the High-Performance Sports Training and Rehabilitation Centre at Sarusajai Sports Complex here today. He also launched Olympic Values Education Programme to help the students imbibe in them the values required for playing at the important sports events.

It may be noted that Government of Assam signed an MoU with Abhinav Futuristic Private Limited, Oil India Limited and Numaligarh Refinery Limited for establishment of two high performance sports training and rehabilitation centres in Guwahati and Jorhat respectively. The facilities incorporated in the centre include biomechanical and motion analysis lab, functional lab, gait lab, physiology lab, recovery lab, rehabilitation lab etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said, “Today is an important day in the sporting landscape of the state. The facilities featured in the centre will help the new generation sports persons to have physical endurance and physical fitness to attain new level of competitiveness in sports. It will also help Assam to emerge as a shining hub of sports”

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister thanked Olympian Abhinav Bindra for partnering with government of Assam for creating this new age facilities for sports. Thanking the Olympian for his presence, the Chief Minister said Abhinav Bindra is an enduring source of inspiration for the young sportspersons. His gold medal at Beijing Olympics not only scripted a new history in the field of sports in India but also opened a new era of sports in the country. He also thanked Oil India Limited and Numaligarh Refinery Limited for joining hands with State government for this initiative.

Dr. Sarma also said that both the high performance sports training and rehabilitation centre and Olympic Values Education Programme would be very helpful in building high capacity sports persons who are capable of resonating Olympic Values required for excelling in major sports events. The Chief Minister said that it will also help in fostering Olympic ethos and values besides providing a fillip for the holistic sports development in the state.

The Chief Minister also urged upon the sports fraternity across the state to come forward and make use of the state-of-the-art high performance sports training and rehabilitation centres in Guwahati and Jorhat. Reiterating the top-most importance that State government is according to sports, the Chief Minister said that his government is hosting Khelo India University Games besides taking steps for organizing the National Games in the state after the Uttarakhand edition.

Giving a snapshot of the sports infrastructure that the government is creating, Dr. Sarma said that a multi-purpose stadium have come up at Amingaon and the same will be built at Chandrapur with adequate facilities for players’ hostels among others. He also said that a hostel with 500 accommodation facility will be constructed at Sarusajai sports complex. Moreover, a slew of measures will be announced in the forthcoming budget of the state for the promotion of sports in the state.

With regard to Olympic Values Education Programme, the Chief Minister said that the programme is being implemented in association with Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust. The programme will be rolled out in schools to address the challenges of sedentary lifestyle, and other associated issues of the youth and athletes.

Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Nandit Gorlosa, MP Pabitra Margherita, MLA Atul Bora, Olympian Abhinav Bindra and host of others were present at the function which was organised by Sports and Youth Welfare Department.