Guwahati: Altogether 16 sportspersons of the state were felicitated at the Assam Sports Award 2018 function by United Brothers Club where the Best Player of Assam 2017 award was presented to sprinter Hima Das and Best Upcoming Player 2017 was given to cricketer Riyan Parag by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday evening.
The awards were presented in a glittering ceremony attended by a number of dignitaries, including additional chief secretary to the Assam government M.G.V.K. Bhanu, Assam police director-general Kuladhar Saikia, BJP leader Queen Ojha, UBC officials and the jury members.
The felicitated sportspersons included tennis player Kristi Boro, footballer Pranjal Bhumij, tennis player Ashmita Chaliha, boxer Loveleena Borgohain, shooter Hriday Hazarika, swimmer Anyatam Rajkumari, table tennis player Tishna Gogoi, boxer Ankushita Boro, cyclist Anu Chutia, Para taekwondo player Biswajeet Roy, taekwondo player Rodali Barua and sports promoter Bhaba Kalita, who was adjudged the Best Sports Promoter.
United Brothers Club president Pranay Bordoloi praised Hima Das for continuously reducing her finishing timing in every event.
Hima Das, called the Dhing Express in sports circles, in reference to her hometown and her speed on the field, shot to stardom in Assam after finishing sixth in the 400 metre sprint at the 2018 Commonwealth Games with a personal best of 51.32 seconds. Since then, she has been constantly shaving her time at the finish line. Choosing her the Best Player of Assam was not a difficult decision for the jury.
The Best Upcoming Player of 2017 Riyan Parag had participated in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand as part of the Indian team.
This promising cricketer had scored 50 runs from 33 balls against England, coming close to Virat Kohli's record of 50 runs in 32 balls. India had emerged the champions.
Presenting the awards, Sonowal said, "Everyone should contribute to the development of sports. Parents should enrol their children in sports as it helps in moulding their character as well as improving their good health. A sports university will be set up at Chabua and a school at Guwahati by the state government. Sports science and medicine have emerged for proper fitness of sportspeople. Sports will enable good human beings and a good nation to evolve."
