Guwahati: The 58th National Inter-State Athletics Championship began at Indira Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday with Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal appealing to all to make it another "grand success" like the 12th South Asian Games in 2016.

"I am thankful to all national sports federations and the organising committee here for their efforts to make the South Asian Games during my tenure as Union sports minister a grand success two years ago. I appeal to everybody involved with the national athletics championship to make it another grand success," Sonowal said after inaugurating the four-day event.

Wishing the over 750 athletes taking part in the meet, the chief minister said: "You come from different parts of the country but have the common goal of making India proud in sport. So play with the best sportsman spirit and success will definitely come your way...This meet is the best platform to tune yourselves for the Jakarta Asian Games. Face the Jakarta challenge with the true sportsman spirit and I believe you all have in it you to succeed."

He wished Assam sprinter Hima Das, who became the first Indian woman to make it to the Commonwealth Games finals in track events at Gold Coast in April. "Hima enjoys the blessings of Assam and I wish she will fare well here and bring more laurels to the country," he said.

Assam Athletics Association president Rakibul Hussain, while thanking the Assam government for helping the association host the meet, also wished Hima success in the 200m and 400m races.

Athletics Federation of India president Adile Sumariwala echoed Sonowal in wishing grand success for the athletics meet. "It is the same venue India achieved the top finish in athletics in South Asian Games. I hope this venue will bring more success for Indian athletes," he said.

He thanked the Assam government for coming forward to host the meet within 50 days after Calcutta expressed inability to host it. "The facilities you have provided are amazing. The temperature in Guwahati is just right for this kind of a competition," he said.

The inaugural ceremony started with a folk music and dance performance by Tezpuria Thespians. Payyoli Express P.T. Usha, Assam power minister Tapan Gogoi and others, were present.

There will be 21 events each for men and women and the Indian squad for the Asian Games will be selected after the meet.