Dibrugarh, Dec 26: The Sansad Khel Mahotsav concluded on Thursday with a large closing ceremony in Upper Assam, bringing to an end several days of competitive sporting events involving young athletes from rural and semi-urban areas of the region.
Athletes, coaches, sports officials and spectators gathered in large numbers for the finale, reflecting the growing reach of organised sports programmes at the grassroots level. The event featured competitions across multiple disciplines and constituencies, drawing participation from hundreds of players.
A key moment during the valedictory programme was the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video conference address. Speaking to the athletes, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of sports in physical fitness, discipline and character building, and linked grassroots sporting initiatives to broader national goals such as “Khelo India” and “Fit India”. He encouraged young participants to pursue sports alongside their education.
The Sansad Khel Mahotsav, organised as a multi-discipline sporting initiative, included events in football, cricket, athletics, volleyball and kabaddi, along with traditional indigenous games such as kho-kho, tug of war and pitthu. Organisers said the inclusion of traditional games helped widen participation and preserve local sporting practices while creating opportunities to identify emerging talent.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who addressed the gathering at the closing ceremony, said the Mahotsav was aimed at identifying sporting talent at the grassroots and providing pathways for further development. He described sports as an important tool for youth engagement, social cohesion and discipline, and linked the initiative to the Prime Minister’s broader vision of a fit and self-reliant India.
Winners and runners-up in various categories were awarded trophies, medals and certificates, while individual honours such as best player, fair play award and emerging talent were also presented. Organisers said the tournament provided competitive exposure to many first-time participants, with several athletes likely to be considered for higher-level training and competitions.
Sports officials involved in the event noted that the Mahotsav has helped extend organised sporting opportunities beyond urban centres, strengthening the sports ecosystem in Upper Assam. With the conclusion of this edition, organisers indicated that the initiative would continue to focus on talent identification and sustained engagement at the grassroots level in future years.
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