Rural sports meet gets under way in Kokrajhar

Kokrajhar, Jan 4 (UNI) The 37th All India Rural Sports Tournament in Group-III got under way today in the Sports Authority of India (SAI) complex at Kathalguri in this district of BTAD in presence of around 2,000 participants and officials from across the country.

Asom Agriculture Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, attending the occasion as the chief guest, expressed satisfaction over the progress in Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas and termed the sports meet 'the greatest symbol of love and friendship across the societies of the nation'.

Deputy BTC Chief Khampa Borgoyari, also the president of the organising committee, recalled the contribution and sacrifices of the people of this region for development of the area.

He highlighted that many sportsmen from the BTC areas had made it big at the national level.

As the chief guest declared the tournament open, firecrackers illuminating the foggy morning sky. The Indian Army fired 200 rounds of shells in the air in the presence of a large number of spectators. National games mascot Rongmon was also a crowd puller on the occasion.

The organising committee sources informed that the event is organised under the auspices Sports Council of Asom, Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, in coordination with SAI, North East Regional Sub-centre, and hosted by BTC.

The BTC has sanctioned Rs 32 lakh, which is expected to go up to Rs 37 lakh, for holding the tournament, while the SAI authority has also handed over Rs 7.5 lakh, in addition to prizes for the winners in three disciplines.

UNI