The Assam government on Saturday added yet another announcement to its list of initiatives for sportspersons, a one-time grant for young sportspersons.
Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said 1,000 young sportspersons of the state would receive Rs 50,000 per head with budget allocation in the next financial year. He made the announcement during an interaction with senior sports journalists from Assam and other parts of the country.
“Our government is committed to make Guwahati the sports capital of the country and to encourage sportspersons as a part of our philosophy, Sports is the Way of Life. We have been doing so ever since we came to power in the state in 2016. It has come to our knowledge that many young talented sportspersons face immense hardships to meet equipment and nourishment expenses. Therefore, we will provide one-time financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per head to 1,000 such young talents in sports from the next budget,” Sonowal said.
He said a panel comprising competent officials has been constituted to select the proposed beneficiaries by working out a selection mechanism. He, however, did not name the officials.
The government’s state-level advisory committee for students and youth welfare will also present the Chief Minister’s Sports Awards cash incentives to 22 international medal winners here on Sunday. The recipients will include medal winners for India in the 12th South Asian Games held here in 2016 and the 13th SAG in Nepal this year. The erstwhile Tarun Gogoi government had announced cash rewards of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh for gold, silver and bronze medallists respectively of 12th SAG which remains to be conferred.
For the Khelo India Youth Games here from January 10 to 22, Sonowal had earlier announced incentives of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 for gold, silver and bronze medallists respectively.
On Saturday he said all international sportspersons of Assam will be felicitated during the Khelo India Games as a motivational initiative for the younger generation.
He said culture will be showcased in three categories during the Games. Three days, marking the Magh Bihu festivities, have been fixed for the purpose. “On January 13, there will be an Assam cultural festival at the Games site, followed by the Northeast festival on January 14 and Rest of India cultural show on January 15. The fests will include cultural shows and ethnic food shows,” Sonowal said.
The announcement comes close on the heels of the announcement to provide Rs 50,000 per head to 2,000 artistes and musicians. Artistes have refused to accept the incentive in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
Aid to sportspersons is a bait the government believes will work as no sports organisation has joined the anti-CAA agitation so far. “Most sports organisations are headed by ruling party workers and nobody would show the audacity to go against the rulers to risk their careers,” said a veteran sportsperson. A few veterans have been seen registering protests under the banner of other social and citizens’ organisations.