CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hands over Sports Pension for 2021-22

Sept. 3: Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today attended the Sports Pension Award Ceremony 2021-22 organized at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Guwahati under the aegis of Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Government of Assam, marking the celebrations of the 85th birth anniversary of Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah, the first Assamese athlete to win gold medal at an international sports competition at 1966 Asian Games at Bangkok.

In the ceremony, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma formally handed over pension sanction letters to 13 recipients. This year, Assam Government has awarded regular sports pension of Rs. 10,000 per month to 99 sportspersons, one-time financial award of Rs. 50,000 to 153 sportspersons, medal winners from the State in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and National Games.

Along with Hon Gov Prof @jagdishmukhi & Ministers glad to have attended Sports Pension Award Ceremony, 2021-22, organised for first time by GoA to mark celebrations of 85th Jayanti of Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah, 1st Assamese athlete to win gold medal for Assam at international level. pic.twitter.com/nDWCb3mfoW

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 3, 2021

In the programme, Chief Minister also formally handed over appointment letters to ArcherSanjay Boro and Boxer Jamuna Boro as Excise Inspectors under State Sports Policy of Government of Assam. Wishing Arjun Bhogeswar Barua on his 85th birthday, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that his life and achievement will continue to inspire our upcoming generations.

Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that in order to promote a suitable sports ecosystem in the State, State Government will reserve a certain percentage of State Government jobs for sportspersons under modified State Sports Policy. While sports pension would be awarded to only players from this year, sports organisers would be awarded separately, he said. He said that a new international standard stadium will be built in the erstwhile Chandrapur Thermal Power Plant premises and Rs. 100 crore has been already earmarked during this financial year itself for this purpose.

GoA is providing Rs 10K as Regular Sports Pension to 99 sportspersons & Rs 50K as One Time Financial Award to 153 sportspersons & winners in Olympics, Asian Games, CWG & National Games.

We will also reserve certain % of State Govt jobs for sportspersons under new Sports Policy. pic.twitter.com/m8EhfdNDD4

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 3, 2021

Informing that apart from building sports complex worth Rs 12 crore in 52 LACs such complexes would be taken up for construction in 40 additional LACs, the Chief Minister said one sport discipline would be taught in each sports complex where coaches would be appointed by the government. He also said that non-profit state level sports academies would be provided financial grant from the government.

Announcing that district stadiums would be built in 10 districts, including in the newly formed districts, with an expenditure of Rs 50 crore per stadium, the Chief Minister said for the first time in Assam Rs 1000 crore budget provision has been kept for sports infrastructure development.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the effort of Balendra Mohan Chakrabarty for organising Abhiruchi Sports Day for the last 38 years. Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Sports Minister Bimal Bora, Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, ‘Arjuna’ Bhogeswar Baruah were present at the programme among other dignitaries.