Guwahati, Oct 13: Naharkatiya’s sporting infrastructure received a major boost on Tuesday with the inauguration of a Rs 22-crore multi-sports complex, which Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, would provide local youth a platform to showcase their talent.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Sarma said the facility fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of the youth of Naharkatiya and would help them showcase their skills and sporting potential.
“The inauguration of this sports complex will give a major boost to the sporting landscape of the area. It has been a dream of the youth of Naharkatiya, and this facility will empower them by providing a platform to showcase their skills and sporting talent,” he said.
CM Sarma takes guard at a cricket pitch during the inauguration of the facility. (Photo: @CMOfficeAssam/X)
The Chief Minister said Naharkatiya is known not only for its natural beauty and cultural richness but also for its sporting potential.
“While Naharkatiya is naturally beautiful and culturally rich, it is also home to immense sporting talent. Our government has taken the responsibility of nurturing this talent and providing young athletes with the facilities they need to excel,” Sarma said.
The multi-sports complex features an international-standard football ground, a 10-metre-wide running track for athletics and a swimming pool measuring 15 metres in width and 25 metres in length.
Recalling the contribution of renowned local sportsperson Tohsen Bora, Sarma said his achievements remains an important part of Naharkatiya’s sporting legacy.
“We must draw inspiration from such personalities and create opportunities for the next generation,” he said.
Swimmers make a splash at the newly inaugurated swimming facility. (Photo: @CMOfficeAssam/X)
The push to develop sports infrastructure in the area extends beyond the new complex.
The Assam Cricket Association has constructed a cricket ground for local enthusiasts, while the state government is building a hockey stadium near the multi-sports complex.
Sarma said the initiatives reflects the government’s broader vision of developing Naharkatiya into a comprehensive sporting hub catering to multiple disciplines.
The Chief Minister also urged young people in Naharkatiya to participate in Khel Maharan, scheduled to be held in November, saying the initiative would help identify emerging talent and encourage wider participation in sports.
“We will organise Khel Maharan in November, and I appeal to the youth of Naharkatiya to participate in it. Such initiatives will help identify emerging talent and encourage more young people to take up sports,” Sarma concluded.