GUWAHATI, Jan 28 - In a bid to spot young footballing talents in the State, the Chief Minister�s Cup Football Tournament was launched in a well attended function at the Rudra Singha Sports Complex here today.
Launching the tournament, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, considering the huge number of football talents in the State, the State Government is starting this championship so that the youngsters get the opportunity to show their potentiality. The Chief Minister also revealed that Assam is gradually becoming a sporting hub after organising the National Games in 2007. For the infrastructure, set up for the National Games, Assam has been able to host the South Asian Games to be held from February 5. He also said, after Delhi, Assam has the best sporting infrastructure.
The championship will be simultaneously played at 56 sub divisions in the State for the U-19 boys. Every sub division will prepare a 16-member team from the preliminary round and the team will participate in the cluster and zonal level tournaments. The Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare will conduct the championship where about 16,500 players from 1024 high and higher secondary schools are expected to take part.
Sports Minister Ajit Singh, attending the function as guest of honour said this championship is the brain child of the Chief Minister through which the State will be able to spot young talents from all over the State.
Additional Chief secretary RT Jindal welcomed the gathering in the function where Sports Commissioner Ajay Tiwari, veteran journalist Premadhar Sharma, AFA secretary Ankur Dutta were also present as guests. Chief Minister felicitated international athlete Taibun Nisha and noted organiser Lila Gogoi on the occasion.
