Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal urged the youth to take up sports as a way of life and emphasised proper promotion of sports medicine and adopting sports in a more scientific way in the state.

The Chief Minister said this while giving away the championship trophy of TG Baruah Memorial Media T-20 Championship at Judges Field in Guwahati on Thursday. Pratidin newspaper clinched the champion’s trophy by defeating Pratidin Time in the final match.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal said that sports plays an important role in physical and mental growth and building character and called upon the youth to make it an essential part of their day-to-day life.

He also emphasised proper promotion of sports medicine and adopting sports in a more scientific way and expressed state government’s commitment to promote sports in public-private partnership.

Referring to the lyrics of legendary artist Bhupen Hazarika’s song “Ei prithivi ek krihangan, krihai hol shantir prangan’, the Chief Minister also underscored the role sports could play in nurturing team spirit, brotherhood and friendship and make society more peaceful.

Sonowal in his speech also lauded media’s role in identifying hidden sports talents from different parts of the state and sought their cooperation in further promotion of sports.

Member Secretary of State Level Advisory Committee for Students and Youth Welfare Lakshya Knowar, proprietor of Sadin-Pratidin Group Jayanta Baruah, advocate Bijon Mahajan, chairman cum managing director of Prag News Sanjay Narain also spoke on the occasion.