Shillong. The ushering of the New Year is of strong commitment towards the welfare of the country. In this context, Assam Rifles Public School (Sports), Shillong becomes first of its kind initiative taken under Khelo India Programme. Aptly known as ‘Friends of the Northeast,’ Assam Rifles has always inspired and motivated the youth of the region towards better future. Their continued participation in the greatest interest of the nation has fruitfully boosted the NE region.
In an ceremony, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju on January 4 inaugurated the Assam Rifles Public School (ARPS) in Shillong as a Khelo India Sports School. At present, nine sports schools have been approved across the country, out of which five are managed by Defence and Paramilitary Forces. In the Northeast region, Assam Rifles Public School is the first Sports School in lines of MLN School of Sports at Rai (Sonipat), Haryana announced under the Khelo India Scheme to fully support the sportsperson.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed between Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Assam Rifles at HQ DGAR (Shillong) on January 1, was jointly released by Kiren Rijiju and Lieutenant General Sukhdeep Sangwan, AVSM, SM, Director General, Assam Rifles during the inauguration ceremony. The school would immensely uplift the dreams of boys and girls, who want to live their sporty career and could not find the concrete platform.
Speaking on this historic moment, the Minister applauded the efforts of Assam Rifles in bringing the vision of Sports School in the Northeast region and stated that ARPS (Sports), Laitkor, Shillong will be a foundation from where future champions of the nation will be born. “Sport has always been an integral part of this school and they will be producing the future champions. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of Lt. Gen. Sukhdeep Sangwan for making tremendous changes in this school over the years. This sports school is definitely going to boost the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Khelo India and uplifting the tradition of sports in the country,” said Rijiju.
The ARPS (Sports), Laitkor (Shillong) will have coaching facilities in Archery, Athletics and Fencing. The Sports Authority of India will sponsor and fund 50 boys and 50 girls in these sports disciplines. The selection process will entail talent hunt including children from the remote and far flung areas.
The Sports Ministry, in an official release, said that the government shall now bear the expenses for talented students of the school, who has interest in sports, in terms of lodging, boarding, education expenses, competition exposure, insurance & medical, sports training & support, salary of coaches and support staff, sports equipment, and more.
On this occasion, Assam Rifles also invited and honoured some of the prominent Northeast sportsperson to recognise their contribution in the field of sports and motivate the younger generation to realise the Mission Olympics goal of the Government of India.
It must be noted that Armed Forces have always been at the forefront in promoting sports and games in their respective zones. In such a scenario, it’s well defined that the vision of Assam Rifles Sports School will give a wake-up call to many school and college students, who feels sports have no scope and is not career-oriented. Empowering the girls of Northeast region in the arena of sports will drive many to jump on the track.
Assam Rifles’ participation for noble cause continues to bring smiles on the young sportsperson of the Meghalaya and NE region. In conclusion it can be said that the Assam Rifles’ leadership and steering commitment would be another milestone in bringing athletes back to the race track and realising their dreams of winning medals for the nation.
-The writer is a Meghalaya-based defence journalist
