Trainees play hockey in abysmal conditions. Picture by Biju Boro

Guwahati, Aug. 29: Assam’s capital city today ritualistically observed National Sports Day in remembrance of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand, but there was no indication that the sport he elevated to a sublime level would henceforth get the attention it deserves.

Most people in the crowd that gathered at the Geetanagar High School playground for a daylong programme sponsored by the directorate by sports and organised by the Geetanagar Sports Training Centre seemed to have no idea about the significance of the day.

A 15-day hockey coaching camp for schoolchildren got under way simultaneously beside the office of the directorate by sports, but the abysmal standard of facilities and lack of official patronage all but turned it into a farce. The programmes at Geetanagar included archery, fencing and volleyball competitions among various city-based teams. Exhibition hockey matches between teams comprising Guwahati Women’s Hockey Association-registered players completed the picture.

Describing the hockey scene here, sports official Rukmini Das said despite interest in the game, neither the Guwahati Sports Association’s hockey wing, headed by Nitya Sharma, nor the district administration had done much for its development. “Despite the lack of grounds, kits and funds, trainees from our centre form the Guwahati district team,” she said.

Forty trainees, most of them with poverty and an ambition to be like Dhanraj Pillay in common, turned up for the coaching camp. Watched by casual onlookers, the trainees — all high on enthusiasm but deficient in technique — got down to business. The manager of the Assam Ranji Trophy squad, Sanjoy Dey, inaugurated the camp.

At Geetanagar, archers Nikhilesh Talukdar and Pallabi Das finished overall champions in the boys and girls’ categories of the competition, which was supported by the Archery Association of Assam. Uttam Swargiary, Lachit Basumatary, Anima Basumatary, Binuma Brahma and Robin Boro made up the rest of the winners’ list.

In fencing, Debajit Bora, Tinku Kayastha, Manik Boro, Arvind Kumar Singh, Tinku Kayastha, Sobha Singh, Debajit Bora and Parimal Das won prizes. Guwahati Volleyball Coaching Centre won the volleyball championship, beating Young Star Club in the final. Eight teams were in the fray.

The organisers of the function later felicitated the team that designed the 2005 National Games mascot, Rongmon. The team comprises Assam Olympic Association joint secretary Anup Choudhury, Bhupen Chakraborty, Basu Boro, Rishi Das and Raju Sarma.

Nagaon observed the occasion as Nurul Amin Day. The programmes included a commemorative run and a seminar for referees.