Assam BJP vice-president Sidhartha Bhattacharya in Guwahati on Sunday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, June 22: The development of sport in the country, which has taken a backseat recently, will soon see achhe din (good days), according to the Assam unit of the BJP.

The state unit today organised an interaction with the sports fraternity to take suggestions on what the Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports Sarbananda Sonowal, should do.

“Sonowal has been entrusted with the duty of ensuring proper utilisation of funds for the development of sport in the next five years. There are funds available and we are trying to chalk out a roadmap,” said Siddartha Bhattacharya, the vice-president of Assam BJP, on behalf of the minister who could not attend the programme.

The speakers, including coaches and players from various disciplines and journalists, dwelt on issues like lack of infrastructure and facilities, need for co-ordination among various agencies in implementing development schemes, inclusion of lesser-known sports and physical education in school curriculum, honouring two-time Olympian Deepankar Bhattacharjee with a national award, getting a SAI centre of excellence for Guwahati, among others.

The convener of the party’s sports cell, Bishov Lal Pathak, was asked to take up every issue with Sonowal.