1st Elite (Senior) Men's National Boxing Meet begins

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today inaugurated the 1st Elite (Senior) Men's National Boxing Championship at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Sorusojai here.
The championship would boost government's effort to make Assam the Sports Capital of the country and in 2017, several other mega sports events would be played in Assam, he said.
Stating that India is a rising star in world sports, especially, in individual sports like Boxing, the Chief Minister said, Boxers from North East like Mary Com, Sarita Devi and Shiva Thapa have made the nation proud by bringing laurels in international sports events.
"If talent is properly harnessed, North East can produce more acclaimed sportspersons who can lead the nation in the field of sports at world events", Sonowal said.

He also said that the elite boxing championship would immensely help the upcoming boxers of the state and motivate the young generation to take up boxing as a career.
He appreciated the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and Assam Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) for holding this mega sports event in the state.

"Our State Government will host the Himalayan Sports Festival in 2017 where 11 states of the country and several Himalayan nations will take part", the Chief Minister said.
"Assam is also an important venue of the Under 17 FIFA World Cup Football Tournament which will be played next year. These events will bolster Assam's image as emerging sports destination of India", Sonowal said.

BFI president Ajay Singh said, the Boxing Federation would make best efforts to host 2020 Olympic Qualifying matches in Guwahati. He also said that a Franchise Team from Assam will participate in the proposed Boxing League.