Guwahati: On the occasion of Assam’s first Arjun awardee athlete Bhogeswar Baruah’s 85th birth anniversary on 3 September 2021, the BJP
led State government in Dispur observed Sports Pension Day where sports pension and financial awards to sports personalities were
presented at Shrimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra in the city. Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi in presence of State chief minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma and other dignitaries handed over sanction letters (of sports pension of rupees 10,000 per month) to 99 regular
pensioners, who won medals in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth and National Games, but not in services. One-time financial awards of rupees 50,000 were given to 153 sport-personalities, who are presently in services. Assamese boxer Jamuna Boro and archer Sanjay Boro were ceremonially given
appointment letters for government jobs under the State sports policy in the function, where Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah was also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Mukhi requested Baruah to continue his role for mentoring sports persons and popularising sports in
Assam. He commented that it would be a fitting tribute to Baruah, who won a gold medal in 1966 Bangkok Asian Games, 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.
“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,” said the Governor adding that though cricket is very popular in the
country, lately Bharat has made strong strides in various other
disciplines. The athletes from Assam are now shining in various international sporting events where Lovlina Borgohian won a medal in the recently
concluded Tokyo Olympic Games. The Governor also mentioned the success of Hima Das, Shiva Thapa, Ashmita Chaliha, Hriday Hazarika and many
others in the sporting grounds.
CM Sarma in his speech stated that the government was working very sincerely for developing a robust sports ecosystem in Assam so that
more and more sporting talents are created, who can bring laurels to the nation. He added that a certain percentage of government jobs
would be reserved for sports persons under the modified sports policy. Sarma also announced that a new international standard stadium would
be constructed at erstwhile Chandrapur thermal power plant premises for which rupees 100 crore has been earmarked during this financial
year. H also added that many more sports complexes are coming up in Assam, where one sport discipline would be taught in
each sports complex by the government appointed coaches.
Assam observes Sports Pension Day, presents pensions and financial aids to sport-personalities
