Seasoned weightlifter Popy Hazarika, who represented India on the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, acknowledged the significance of the platform that the Khelo India University Games 2023 will present to the hundreds of athletes taking part from throughout 200 universities within the marquee occasion, beginning February 19 right here. Popy, a a number of medallist on the National Games, and the Commonwealth championships, believes the celebrated occasion, hosted in Assam for the primary time, will increase the sporting tradition within the state.

Welcoming the athletes to expertise the heat and hospitality within the Gateway of the Northeast, Popy mentioned, “Khelo India University Games provides a perfect platform for every young athlete to establish themselves in the big league. Assam is known for its warmth and hospitality, and I’m sure the state government will leave no stones unturned to make it a grand success.” Raised by a widowed mom, who labored as a farm hand and cook dinner to assist her 4 daughters after shedding her husband, Popy had overcome a number of challenges after shedding her father, a driver by career.

A product of the SAI centre in Golaghat, Popy, who received the 59kg gold within the Khelo India National Weightlifting Championships in 2022, mentioned that the publicity athletes get by collaborating at occasions just like the KIUG is huge. “As an athlete, coming from a remote village in Assam, I have experienced how such tournaments help in boosting one’s confidence. I wholeheartedly wish all the participants the very best for the games. The exposure that the events like Khelo India University Games provide to young athletes is massive, and helps shape in one’s individuality,” she mentioned.

The 25-year-old from Namti Salkathoni village in Sivasagar district, additionally mirrored on the importance of the KIUG going down within the state, “It’s a testament to our state’s rising stature in the field of sports.” “Our state has successfully hosted multi-discipline events in the past, and this time, it will be bigger and better. The sports infrastructure in the state has improved massively, especially after the National Games in 2007, and then the Khelo India Youth Games in 2020,” she added.

Popy additionally spoke extremely of the state’s assist for athletes, whereas citing the Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam authorities’s choice to supply jobs to medallists of main nationwide tournaments. “The state government has been really supportive towards sportspersons and this has brought in a sporting culture across the state. It’s no more limited to the bigger cities, but there’s a sporting culture growing in the remote areas, thanks to the infrastructure and support from the government,” she mentioned.

“Right before the National Games in Gujarat, the government for the first time announced flight travel for all athletes and support staff, participating at any major national event. The decision helped athletes save travel time, and focus on training. Also the medallists were given jobs, which is a massive boost,” she accounted. Popy is hopeful that the KIUG 2023 will deliver out a lot of champions from the house state. (ANI)

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