CM Sarma presents the Bhogeswar Baruah National Best Sportsperson Award to Olympian Manu Bhaker
In commemoration of the birthday of Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah who made history by clinching the gold medal in the 800 meters race at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, the Assam Olympic Association on Wednesday organized the Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Award Ceremony at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, in presence of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. On the occasion, the Chief Minister Dr. Sarma conferred the Bhogeswar Barua National Best Sportsperson Award on celebrated shooter Manu Bhaker, who brought pride to the nation with two gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma expressed gratitude to the Assam Olympic Association for instituting this award programme on the birthday of Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah, which has been also observed as State Sports Day across Assam. Congratulating the recipient of the Bhogeswar Barua National Sports Awards, he observed that several star athletes present at today’s gathering had, in their respective disciplines, brought global recognition to Assam through their sporting excellence.
Acknowledging the importance of the awards, the Chief Minister thanked the Assam Olympic Association for taking such a step to bring Assam’s sporting journey onto the national stage and expressed hope that the Association would continue its efforts in the future as well. He highlighted that the State government has been undertaking a series of initiatives to strengthen the sporting ecosystem across Assam.
Dr. Sarma informed that the government is currently implementing schemes worth around Rs 3,000 crore for building modern sports complexes in each of the 126 Assembly constituencies to constructing national-level stadium. He also mentioned that several international-level training centers are contributing to the State’s growing reputation in sports.
Referring to recent achievements, the Chief Minister proudly noted that Betkuchi High School of Assam had recently won the national championship title in the prestigious Subroto Cup, bringing glory to the State. He expressed confidence that with collective efforts, Assam’s sports would progress even further in the coming days.
Meanwhile, star footballer Sunil Chetri, one of India’s greatest sports icons, was presented with the Arjun Bhogeswar Barua Lifetime Achievement Award by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
Moreover, several other athletes who had made notable contributions to Indian sports were felicitated with Bhogeswar Barua National Sports Awards under categories such as Best Sportsperson at State Level and Emerging Sports Talent Award. A number of sportspersons were also specially honoured at the ceremony.
The event witnessed the presence of Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Nandita Garlosa, MPs Dilip Saikia and Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Olympian Manu Bhaker, international footballer Sunil Chetri, renowned sportspersons of Assam including Dipankar Bhattacharya, Monalisa Barua Mehta, Kamlesh Mehta, Assam Olympic Association General Secretary Lakhya Konwar, and AIPF President Kalyan Chaubey, among other distinguished dignitaries.
