GUWAHATI, Oct 29 � The golden era of Gauhati University (GU) sports have definitely passed away. In the late 70s and early 80s, the GU football team was a powerhouse in the east zone inter-university championship. The GU football team, comprising of players from Manipur colleges, had won the east zone crowns on several occasions.
Likewise, the GU table tennis and the badminton team also brought laurels to the State. But surprisingly, these days the sporting activities in the GU have been totally neglected. Barring the Youth Festival, inter-college competitions are organised for namesake.
Earlier, the GU inter-college football championship was counted as one of the major and most glamourous tournaments in Assam. But now the charisma has faded and the colleges from city or major towns hardly show any interest in sending teams for the event.
It is learnt that in the last edition of the GU inter-college football championship, only Cotton College took part from the city.
According to information available, GU does not have the financial strength to send teams for events like inter-university football or cricket. Time and again they send small teams like archery, basketball, etc. But they show much interest in Youth Festival where GU students have some performances at zonal and all India level.
It is also alleged that the colleges under GU hardly show any interest in hosting events as the university fail to provide financial assistance.
In comparison to GU, the Dibrugarh University (DU) is far ahead in this regard. They regularly host various events in different places. They also sent teams for the east zone inter university tournaments. The DU table tennis, volleyball teams are participating in the ongoing east zone inter-university tournament at Bhubaneswar, under KIIT University. It is learnt that the GU is planning to send its badminton team for the inter- university tournament to be held in December at Varanasi.
Universities are said to be the best bases for professional sportspersons. The leading countries in sports prepare university students for Olympics or world championships by providing best possible infrastructure.
When the inter-college tournaments are believed to the best talent spotting ground, the GU is treating it with a step-motherly attitude.
