Guwahati: The state government has planned a grand reception and Rs 1.6 crore for Asian Games medal winner and the pride of Assam, Hima Das, on her arrival in the city on Friday.
This was announced by officials from the directorate of sports and youth welfare at a news conference here on Wednesday.
Speedster Hima, from Dhing in Nagaon district of Assam, has won three medals - a silver in the 400-metre sprint, another silver in the 4x400-metre mixed relay race and a gold medal in the 4x400-metre woman's relay race at the Asian Games in Jakarta.
Hima will be received by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the airport here around 1pm on Friday.
An official reception has been planned at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra at 5pm where she will be handed over a cheque for Rs 1.6 crore.
An MoU declaring Hima the state brand ambassador will also be signed.
The reception will be attended by ministers, senior officials of the state government, former athletes of the state, sports organisers and other distinguished guests.
A member secretary of the state-level advisory board on sports and youth welfare, Lakshya Konwar, said, "Hima will be accorded state honours on her arrival in the state after winning three medals in the 18th Asian Games at Jakarta recently. A grand reception will be organised at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in the evening. She will also be handed over a cheque for Rs 1.6 crore for her gold medal in the 400-metre sprint at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships in Finland, Rs 30 lakh for the silver in the 400-metre sprint in the Asian games, another Rs 30 lakh for her silver in the 4x400-metre mixed relay race and Rs 50 lakh for bagging the gold medal in the 4x400-metre women's relay race in the Asian Games. Around 37 sports bodies in districts across Assam have been invited for the event, to be attended by distinguished guests."
Sports director Pabitra Ram Khaund was all praise for Hima for serially winning medals and bringing glory to the state and country.
A sum of Rs 5 lakh each will be given to all the five Asian Games participants from the state, Khaund said.
