The National Sports Day in India is observed every year on 29th August to commemorate the birth anniversary of Hockey Legend Major Dhyan Chand Singh. It is a tribute to India’s sports icons for their contribution to establish country’s rightful space on the international sports map. At the same time, National Sports Day is also a reminder of how sports can help lead a fit and healthy lifestyle.
The Sports Authority of India Regional Centre main office at Guwahati celebrated the National Sports Day with day-long activities. On the occasion, ace Lawn Ball athlete and Arjuna Awardee Nayanmoni Saikia was invited as the Chief Guest of the event. The Commonwealth Games, 2022 Gold Medalist called it a home-coming for her as she was a SAI athlete at the Guwahati centre from 2000 to 2011. She encouraged the athletes to focus singularly on winning medals for the country because in today’s time a good sports career guarantees plethora of opportunities in life. She also emphasized on criticality of coach-athlete relationship for excellence. Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of SAI Guwahati D. K. Mittal said that athletes must utilize various facilities being offered at SAI to the maximum and must also understand at the same time that with focus and determination sportspersons can overcome all hurdles on the way to glory.
An exhibition-cum-demonstration on ‘Traditional Games of Assam’ was organized at the premise of the Centre in collaboration with Sports and Cultural Study Centre on this occasion. The promotion of traditional games is a sub-vertical under the Khelo India flagship scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Towards this objective, this exhibition cum demonstration showcased traditional games played in rural Assam such as – Dhup khel (Cloth Ball game), Rumal Lukuwa khel (Hiding Handkerchief game), Ukuli-Mukuli (Where’s Your Hand), Ethengia Daur (Single legged race), Kut Kut Khel, Bagh aru Goru khel (Tiger and Cow game), Peng race, and many others.
All athletes, coaches, sports science department, administrators and staff at the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE), Guwahati participated in various competitive (Football, Hockey. Relay Race and Volleyball) and fun games (Tug of War, Carrom, Kangaroo and Camel Relay, and sports quiz) throughout the day in a befitting testament to the significance of National Sports Day. All events were hosted and managed by SAI athletes as part of their soft-skill training and development. The event concluded with distribution of trophy and medals to winners by the Executive Director.
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