GUWAHATI, March 31: In a well attended function at Landmark Hotels here today, the national champion Assam sub junior football team was accorded a warm felicitation by Assam Football Association (AFA).
The function was attended by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who is also the president of Assam Olympic Association (AOA). Congratulating the team members and State football body, Gogoi said although Assam does not have adequate infrastructure and other required facilities to promote sports and games these boys did a tremendous job by winning the National Sub Junior Football Championship and regaining the coveted Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy after a gap of long 30 years. Assam last won the trophy jointly in the year 1981. The Chief Minister hoped that these boys will definitely bring more laurels to the State in coming days. He also announced a cash award of Rs 5 lakh for the team and a laptop each to all the members of the team. AOA will also present a cash award of Rs 5 lakh to the team. The Chief Minister also declared that an amount of Rs 5 lakh will be given to AFA for its effort in preparing the team.
The AFA secretary Ankur Dutta while welcoming the gathering urged the State Government to renovate the Nehru Stadium as Assam is a contender for some of the U-17 World Cup matches which may be held in India in 2017. He also congratulated the district associations for building up their teams which finally made possible for Assam to win the national championship.
All the members of the teams were presented with football kits and other gifts.
Sports Minister Ajit Singh, MLA Capt Robin Bordoloi, AFA president Hemendra Nath Brahma, veteran sportsperson Pulin Das, Sports Director Gaurav Bothra, Director General of Sports Authority of Assam Pradip Hazarika, SAI city centre director incharge Subhash Basumatary, Airtel official George Mathen were also present on the occasion along with a host of sportspersons and organisers.
The Assam team members are: Bidyut Arandhara, Donsarang Basumatary, Michel Hazoary, Manas Pratim Chutia, Sanjo Urang, Tapan Gogoi, Dipankar Baruah, Champao Rengmai, Langram Basumatary, Kapil Boro, Mangal Soren, Situ Basumatary, Pranjyoti Chutia, Rafel Narzary, Lalzeirem Hmar, Milan Basumatary, Manjit Gogoi, Zeherul Islam, Chitrajit Chutia. Coach - Subir Dey, asst coach - Keshab Bora, manager - Bipin Bora.
