Guwahati, September 2: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday led the State Sports Day celebrations at Sarusajai in Guwahati, commemorating the birth anniversary of Bhogeswar Baruah, Assam's first Asian Games gold medallist and the state's first recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award.
The highlight of the occasion was the official renaming of the Sarusajai Sports Complex as the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, a tribute to the legendary sprinter whose achievements continue to inspire generations of athletes across Assam and the country.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sarma described Bhogeswar Baruah as a living legend and a towering figure in Indian athletics. "Assam's first Arjuna Awardee Bhogeswar Baruah Dangoriya is a living legend and continues to inspire our sporting fraternity. I consider myself extremely privileged to rename one of Guwahati's largest sports complexes in his honour," he said.
The State Sports Day celebrations also featured several initiatives aimed at recognising sporting excellence and strengthening Assam's sports ecosystem. The Chief Minister distributed appointment letters and cash rewards to 38 National Games medallists, presented the State Sports Awards 2024–25, and announced the recipients of the 2025–26 State Sports Awards.
Other highlights included the distribution of sports pensions and Khelo India 2025 Awards, conferment of the Bir Chilarai Award and National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards, distribution of recurve bows under the IASOWA initiative Prerona, felicitation of the Under-17 Girls' Subroto Cup-winning team, and the release of the Khel Maharan Coffee Table Book documenting Assam's sporting achievements.
The presence of Bhogeswar Baruah at the event made the celebration especially memorable. The Chief Minister described the occasion as "a lifetime experience for every person committed to building a sporting ecosystem in Assam."
The celebrations reaffirmed the state's commitment to honouring its sporting icons while investing in the development of young athletes, sports infrastructure, and grassroots talent to make Assam a leading sporting hub in the country.
