Assam Chief Minister inaugurates NE Games

Guwahati, Jan 30 (UNI) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today emphasised on popularising sports in rural areas to harness the hidden talents.

Inaugurating the four-day 22nd North-Eastern Games, 2007-08, formerly known as the Sports Festival, at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here in inclement weather with gusty winds, the Chief Minister said there were many talented sportspersons in the rural areas and sports should be popularised among the youth in the remote areas to harness their hidden talents.

More than 1,600 competitors, from the eight NE states, including Sikkim, will participate in the games.

Competitions in football, judo, volleyball, athletics, boxing, among others, will be organised during the Games.

Mr Gogoi took salute from a march past organised by the competitors from all the NE states and hoped that the games would be a grand success.

He said the games would contribute immensely in strengthening the unity in diversity of the NE states.

The games have been organised by the Assam Sports and Youth Welfare Department.

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