Barpeta: The district-level phase of Khel Maharan 2.0 officially began in Barpeta, Assam, on Monday, with a grand and star-studded opening ceremony that marked the start of the exciting sports competition.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including internationally acclaimed swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika, boxer Pranjit Dutta, Barpeta District Commissioner Rohan Kumar Jha, CEO of Zilla Parishad Diganta Baishya, and other distinguished officials such as Geetashri Lachit (ACS), Dhruba Deka (District Sports Officer), among others.
The ceremony kicked off with an impressive march past by NCC cadets, followed by a vibrant band performance from St. Mary’s School of Barpeta Road.
The event also featured captivating displays by 5 LACs players, a cultural performance by Kalangan Barpeta, and a flag hoisting ceremony conducted by Barpeta’s District Commissioner and the Chairman of 5 LACs.
Five sports pensioners from the state, including Pradip Das, Biraj Oja, Indramohan Oja, Bajen Das, and Bhupen Das, were also honoured during the ceremony.
In his speech, Hazarika, recently conferred with the prestigious Asom Saurav award, praised the efforts of Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in boosting the sports sector.
He highlighted the state’s recent successes in producing world-class athletes and expressed his confidence that Assam would continue to produce more sports stars in the future.
“The government’s initiatives, including providing jobs to successful athletes, have ensured that sportspeople can make a living while pursuing their passion. If these schemes continue, Assam could emerge as the top sports hub in the country,” Hazarika stated.
Boxer Pranjit Dutta echoed Hazarika’s sentiments, noting that the sports culture in Assam is seeing a positive transformation, with parents increasingly involved in nurturing young athletes.
“There is a lot of potential for children to build a successful future in sports,” Dutta remarked.
Rohan Kumar Jha, the District Commissioner, shared that 1,048 athletes—who were selected after rigorous trials at the Legislative Assembly Council level—are now competing in various events as part of the Khel Maharan 2.0 district-level competition.
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“We hope the athletes from Barpeta will bring glory to the district,” Jha added.
The district-level events are set to run until February 5, with the closing ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, which is expected to be attended by Chandramohan Patowary, the Guardian Minister of Barpeta.
Khel Maharan 2.0 serves as a platform for Assam’s athletes to showcase their skills, compete at a high level, and take a step toward national recognition in the sports arena.
