FIFA U-17 World Cup : Host city logo unveils in Guwahati

The Assam CM also launched the Winner’s Trophy Experience of the event at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium at Sarusajai in the city.

Notably, the winner’s trophy for FIFA U-17 World Cup has been on a tour of all six tournament host cities where the first FIFA tournament in India will be held and Assam is the second destination of this journey in the country.

Saying that it has been great opportunity for Assam to hold 9 matches of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Assam CM Sonowal stated that the global event would catapult the state and region into world’s sporting limelight and make people from across the globe aware about Assam’s sporting potential.

Saying that football has always been very popular in the state and region and many footballers of the state have brought laurels to the country, Sonowal said that the young players of Assam and Northeast would be inspired by watching the future global football stars in action and learn from the high standard of football that would be on display.  

Informing about the government plans to set up a football academy in Assam to tap the immense footballing talent in the state and the initiative to develop 500 playgrounds in the state during 2017-18 under Chief Minister’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana, Sonowal reiterated the government’s commitment to make Guwahati the sports capital of India.

Commenting on budget provision to set up Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Academy and Sports School at Sarusajai Sports Satdium, Sonowal said that the government has given topmost priority to develop world class sports infrastructure in the state so that sporting talents form interior places can be nurtured.“As continuation of the process to make the state sporting hotspot of the country, several mega sports championships will be played in Assam in the next couple of months and FIFA U-17 World Cup will be followed by an one day international cricket match between India and Australia at Guwahati and AIBA Women's Youth World Boxing Championships which will be held in the month of November in state,” Sonowal said.

Thanking the FIFA officials for the great recognition for the state as global sports venue, Sonowal urged the people of the state to support the event and attend the matches in large numbers.

He also expressed hope that participating players from across the globe would take away a positive impression of the state in their hearts and urged the people to give a true account of the state’s famed hospitality during the global event.   

Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Naba Kumar Doley, Tournament Director at Local Organising Committee FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 Javier Ceppi, Member Secretary of State Level Advisory Board on Sports and Youth Welfare Lakshya Konwar, Commissioner and Secretary of Sports and Youth Welfare Ashutosh Agnihotri were also present on the occasion among others.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)