In a move to empower girls through sports, Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi today launched Governor’s Girls Volleyball Mission, 2020-21’ at a function held at Raj Bhavan today.

It may be noted that under the Mission volleyball kits would be distributed to 5453 selected schools of the state to promote volleyball among the girl students. The Mission is a joint initiative of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Education Department and Panchayat and Rural Development Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Mukhi said, “Sports are beneficial to us as they teach us punctuality, patience, discipline, teamwork, dedication and devotion. Sports not only enhances teamwork but also instils a spirit of openness to accept others”.  

Remembering Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s song where the Bard had sung  “Ei Prithivi Ek Kriangan, Krira Hol Santir Prangan (This world is a playground and sports cultivates this ground for peace)”, Governor Prof. Mukhi called upon all the stake holders to use this Mission to promote peace and tranquillity and strengthen the bond of universal brotherhood. Considering the essence of the song, the Governor said that everybody must adopt sports as a part of their lives. “I am pleased to share with the participants that our land, which is blessed with the virtues of Srimanta Sankaradeva and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, has a rich sporting history that dates back to several hundred years”, the Governor added.  

Prof. Mukhi said that Sports helps develop team spirit, strategic and analytical thinking and leadership skills besides infusing confidence to set goals and take risks. He said that he always believed that fit and healthy individuals make an equally healthy society and a stronger nation. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who says  “Jo Khele, Wo Khile”, Prof. Mukhi asked the students to use this Mission as a tool to develop their personality.  

The Governor on the occasion also said that the girl students should take the advantage of the Mission to step out into the world and accept the challenges showcasing the spirit of sports. He also appealed to them to use their talent and get noticed at national and international events.

The Governor further said that, for a multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic state like Assam, sports and culture have a transformative potential in forging stronger and deeper people to people ties. They have the power to strengthen unity and harmony in society. Continuous interaction, travel for competitions, matches and training give the participating players the exposure and the opportunity to understand the culture and tradition of other communities which contribute immensely to facilitate peace and  harmony.

Lauding the efforts of the Prime Minister Modi, the Governor said that the present  government is working with the vision to position and develop Guwahati as the emerging sports capital of the country and Assam as a sports hub. Under his visionary leadership, the Union Government launched “Khelo India” to create a coordinated eco-system to identify and nurture the sports talents and fuel their passion for excellence.

The Governor also highlighted the Government of Assam’s Integrated Sports Policy which ensures attractive cash incentives and other special incentives to medal winners in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships such as direct entry into Class I and Class II government jobs.

It may be noted that the Governor adopted the Girls Volleyball game considering the popularity of the game in the rural areas. Accordingly, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare has taken up the programme of ‘Governor’s Girls Volleyball Mission’. It may also be mentioned that the Education Department has selected a total of 5453 schools on the basis of availability of playgrounds and considering the enrolment of a minimum 20 girl students. The Panchayat and Rural Development department has engaged itself with the Mission to develop the volleyball playgrounds in these selected schools in convergence with MGNREGA scheme. The Sports and Youth Welfare Department will provide the volleyball sports kits for the selected schools. Volleyball coach trainers will also be deputed in collaboration with the local Volleyball Associations for training the girls’ students.

Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Govt. of Assam, Dr. J.B. Ekka who was also present on the occasion appreciated the initiative of the Governor to adopt the Girls Volleyball Mission and said that it would go a long way to inspire and empower the girls and women of the state.

Principal Secretary, Education, Govt. of Assam B. Kalyan Chakravarthy quoted the lines of Nelson Mandela and said that Sports has the power to change the world. He also said that with an increase in the rates of physical and mental anxiety among students,  sports acts as a potential tool to boost their confidence and helps them to get mental relaxation.

Commissioner and Secretary Sports and Youth Welfare Department Moloy Bora gave the welcome address and thanked the Governor for his initiative to promote the girls’ volleyball and said that the initiative will usher in a new era in the field of women empowerment.

A souvenir was also released on the occasion. Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor S.S.Meenakshi Sundaram, Director of Sports Dharma Kanta Mili, officers and staffs of all the departments of Education, Sports and Youth Welfare, Panchayat and Rural Development, officers and staff of Raj Bhavan, Panchayati Raj Institution representatives, NGOs, Civic Society organizations, members of sports association were also present at the launching programme.