GUWAHATI, March 20 � The 36th annual convention of Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) began here today with a seminar on Indian athletics scenario.
Over 100 delegates from States like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Jharkhand, etc., are taking part in the convention.
Leading sportspersons of the country like Adil Sumariwala, Dronacharya Award winning coach Dr Kuntal Roy, Arjuna Award winner Bhogeswar, international athlete Taibun Nesa were present in the seminar as resource persons.
Dr Roy said athletics is the best among all the sporting events as running, jumping, throwing are required in every sports. Sumariwala revealed that India has improved a lot in athletics and in the coming days, Indian athletes are likely to win more medals in international championships. Bhogeswar Baruah opined that at present students of college and university level are not that much interested in games and sports. Our youngsters should take up sports seriously so that the standard can be improved. Taibun Nesa said Assam has adequate talents but there are very few to guide them.
After the seminar, the annual convention was formally inaugurated at Hotel Nakshatra. SJFI president S Sabanayakan, secretary G Viswanath, Arjuna Award winners Bhogeswar Baruah, Monalisa Baruah Mehta, veteran sportsperson of the State Pulin Das, member secretary of SLAC Manab Deka were present as guests in the inaugural function.
The JK Bose cricket meet will be inaugurated at Nehru Stadium tomorrow at 9 am while the AC Bali table tennis championship will begin at Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium at 3.30 pm.
