Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi attends Sports Pension Award ceremony
Along with CM, Governor presents Sports Pensions and financial awards to sports personalities
Guwahati,: Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi on the occasion of birth day of Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah which the State government has celebrated as the Sports Pension Day, presented sports pension and financial awards to sports personalities at a function held at Srimanta Sankardev International Auditorium in presence of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma here today.
It may be noted that the government on the occasion of Sports Pension Day has presented sanction letters of sports pension to 99 regular pensioners, one time financial awards to 153 awardees. Medal winners of Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and National Games were given sports pension. Those medal winners who are in service were awarded one time financial award amounting to Rs. 50 thousand. Those medal winners who are not in service were awarded with sports pension Rs. 10 thousand per month which has been increased from the earlier Rs. 8 thousand. Moreover, Jamuna Boro (Boxing) and Sanjay Boro (Archery) were ceremonially given appointment letters for government jobs.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Prof. Mukhi while greeting Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah on his birth day, requested him to continue his role for mentoring sports persons and popularising sports in the state. He said that it would be a fitting tribute to Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah if the youth of the state take a pledge to work hard with utmost discipline and dedication to inflame the fire in them and excel in sports.
The Governor said, “Sports is vital for the overall development of a nation. It guides the youth away from negativity by bringing out the best in their physical and mental goodness and fuel their passion for excellence”. He also said that though cricket is very popular in India, the country of late made strong strides in various other disciplines. “Our athletes’ shining performances at many international events including the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics is a testimony to our impressive march in other sports”, the Governor added.
Prof. Mukhi also hailed the role of Chief Minister Dr.Himanta Biswa Sarma under whom the state has made much headways in sports. The success of Lovlina Borgohian, Hima Das, Jamuna Boro, Sanjay Boro, Shiva Thapa, Ashmita Chaliha, Hriday Hazarika and many others are the shining examples to this development.
The Governor also mentioned about the Integrated Sports Policy of the State government which offers attractive cash incentives, special incentives to medal winners in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth games and World Championships such as direct entry into Class I and Class II government jobs. He also took note of the State government’s decision of granting Regular Sports Pension which has been enhanced to Rs. 10,000/- per month from Rs. 8,000/- per month. All these have been done to make qualitative development of sports and bring about paradigm shift in the attitude with which the youth of the state should take sports as a vocation in their life.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa gave an overall view of the State government for promoting sports in the state. He said the government is working very sincerely for developing a robust sports ecosystem in the state so that more and more sporting talents are created who can bring laurels to the state as well as to the nation. He also said that State government will reserve a certain percentage of government jobs for sports persons.
He also announced that a new international standard stadium would be constructed in Chandrapur and Rs. 100 crore has already been earmarked for the purpose.
Sports Minister Bimal Bora, Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, several MLAs, recipient of sports pension and awards, senior government officials and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.