Duliajan, January 25: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday reaffirmed the state government's commitment to strengthening grassroots sports and creating long-term opportunities for young athletes, particularly those from the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities, while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Chief Minister's Tea Tribes & Adivasi (U-17) Football Championship 2025–26 at Nehru Maidan in Duliajan.
 |
| Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing the press |
Highlighting the government's vision for sports development, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of two dedicated sports hostels—one in Guwahati with a capacity to accommodate 1,000 athletes and another in Dibrugarh with a capacity of 500. These facilities will provide promising sportspersons with professional coaching, modern training infrastructure, hostel accommodation, and academic support, enabling them to balance education with sports.
Dr. Sarma also announced that the state's upcoming Sports Policy will include provisions for government job reservations for accomplished sportspersons, offering athletes greater career security after their competitive sporting careers. He said the initiative would encourage more young people to pursue sports professionally while assuring them of future employment opportunities.
"Assam has no dearth of footballing talent," the Chief Minister remarked, adding that the championship had once again demonstrated the immense potential, passion, and dedication of young footballers from across the state.
The tournament concluded with an exciting final between Tinsukia and Cachar districts, attracting enthusiastic spectators and showcasing a high standard of football. After witnessing the match, the Chief Minister interacted with the players and praised their discipline, teamwork, technical ability, and competitive spirit.
ALSO READ: PM Modi Highlights Youth-Led Cleanliness Drives in Assam and Arunachal in Mann Ki Baat
He further said the government is developing a holistic sports development model that integrates quality education with professional sports training, ensuring the overall growth of young athletes while preparing them for national and international competitions.
The Chief Minister's Tea Tribes & Adivasi (U-17) Football Championship has been widely appreciated as an important initiative to promote football among young players from historically underrepresented communities. Officials believe the tournament will help identify emerging talent, encourage wider participation in sports, and contribute to Assam's growing reputation as a hub for football development while fostering social inclusion through sports.
