It may be noted that the MoU was signed between Government of Assam and Abhinav Futuristics Pvt. Ltd for the centre in Guwahati. While the MoU was signed between Government of Assam and Oil India Limited and Numaligarh Refinery Limited for establishing the high performance sports training and rehabilitation Centre in Jorhat.
Each High Performance Sports Training Centre will be established at a projected cost of Rs 23.78 crore with an additional operational maintenance cost of approximately Rs 2.49 crores. The State government will fund the expenses of the Guwahati centre while Oil India Ltd and Numaligarh Refinery Ltd will contribute their CSR towards Jorhat centre.
While presiding over the MoU signing ceremony, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the high performance sports training and rehabilitation centres are the latest additions in building high quality sports infrastructure in the state. He said that the high performance sports training centres will bring about qualitative improvement in sporting landscape of the state.
Sarma also said that physical fitness of the youth is an important aspect of showing high performance in sports. Therefore, the high performance sports training and rehabilitation centres will go a long way in achieving an important milestone in excelling in sports.
The Chief Minister also said that operations of the centres are an important segment as the State government has involved Abhinav Futuristics Pvt. Ltd. For running the centres for five years. During this period, State government will create its own expertise for running these centres. Exuding confidence over the outcome of the sports training centres, Sarma said that all the athletes of the state should come forward to take help from this centres to enhance their competence, set their standards and contribute to the excellence of sports.
Outlining the State government’s commitment to the promotion of sports and improvement of its quality, Sarma said that last year his government spent Rs. 1000 crore for creation sports infrastructure across the state. He also said that for giving adequate opportunity for the sports talents at the grass root, State government will organize block level sports events in five identified discipline. The winners will be competing at the district level and then at the state level. This Khel Moharon will be held to present the much-needed exposure to the sports talents of Assam. He also said that State government is also in the process of drafting a new Sports Policy which will exclusively cover entire life of an athlete.Sarma thanked Olympian Abhinav Bindra, OIL and NRL for their help in coming forward to establish high performance sports training and rehabilitation centres in Assam.
Olympic Gold Medallist Abhinav Bindra while speaking on the occasion hailed the initiative of the government in setting up of the training centres in the State. He thanked Sarma for leading the state from the front in creating high quality sports infrastructure in Assam. He said that besides looking after the operations of the Centres, his organization will also provide free medical facility including surgery to any athlete who picks up d injury. His organization will help the athletes to imbibe Olympic values in them so that they can become a strong ambassador for the promotion of sports and their values in the state.
