Agartala, Aug 30: Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha emphasized the importance of practice, self-belief, and perseverance for achieving success in sports while addressing the National Sports Day celebration at the Dashrath Deb Sports Complex in Badharghat. The event also honored 39 athletes who won medals at the national level during the 2024-25 season with cash awards.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister recalled hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, whose birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day, highlighting the aim of inspiring the younger generation to pursue excellence in sports. He said, “Success in sports requires daily rigorous practice, strong self-confidence, and moving beyond the habit of comparing oneself with others.”
Dr. Saha also pointed out that under the current state government, Tripura’s sports infrastructure has seen unprecedented development, with international-standard facilities being established from rural to urban areas. “The improvement in sports infrastructure has positively impacted the performance of our athletes at the national level. Talents were always present in Tripura, but proper infrastructure was lacking. Today, schemes like the Chief Minister Sports Development Project and Chief Minister Sports Exploration Project are encouraging athletes and recognizing their achievements,” he said.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of balancing academics and sports, noting that sports contribute to both physical and mental well-being. He urged coaches to adopt modern training methods and inspire athletes to dream big. He also emphasized the importance of yoga before any sports practice.
Highlighting the achievements of athletes like Dipa Karmakar, he encouraged present sportspersons to follow their path and bring national and international recognition to Tripura.
Sports Minister Tinku Roy said that although Tripura is a small state, it is rich in sporting talent, and the government has taken several initiatives to develop infrastructure. MP Rajiv Bhattacharjee added that the government is working diligently to enhance sports standards and facilities in the state, following the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He urged responsible authorities to ensure the proper use and maintenance of sports infrastructure.
The event also honored mountaineer Aritra Roy, cyclist Ajay Kumar Saha, and two PI members for their outstanding achievements. Other dignitaries present included MLA Minarani Sarkar, West Tripura Zilla Parishad acting chairperson Bishwajit Seal, department secretary Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, director L. Darlong, Tripura Sports Council secretary Sukanta Ghosh, and Padma Shri awardee Dipika Karmakar.
