Guwahati, 12th February 2024; As Assam gears up to host the fourth edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2023, from February 19, former youth world boxing champion Ankushita Boro is optimistic about the prospects of state’s young athletes gaining a lot of exposure from the marque tournament.

Ankushita, who pocketed the gold medal when Assam last hosted the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in 2020, rated her performance as a career-changing one, especially after experiencing a dip in performance following her 2017 youth world crown.

“I will always remember the Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati, where I picked the gold medal, it was sort of a fresh start for me in terms of performance. From my personal experience, I can say that the Khelo India platform has brought in a fierce competitive spirit right from the under-18 days,” she said.

“I’m sure this edition of the Khelo India University Games will be no different. There will be almost 4,500 athletes from across 200 universities battling for glory. There will be mouthwatering inter-university rivalries, inter-state face-offs (athletes of one state facing off against each other’s universities), which will make it all the more exciting,” she added.

Ankushita, one of the beneficiaries of the government’s Integrated Sports Policy, was last year appointed in Class III post under the Directorate of Sports & Youth Welfare after returning with a gold medal from the 36th National Games in Gujarat. 

Appreciating the state government’s commitment for sports, the ace pugilist said, “The government has been very supportive for sportspersons, and has walked the talk when it comes to providing jobs under the policy. This has encouraged players from less privileged families to dream about a career in sports for a secured future.”

Ankushita, who hails from Meghai Jarani village in Sonitpur district, also spoke highly of the support received at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Golaghat during her early days. “There are a number of athletes from SAI Golaghat, who have brought laurels to the state and the country. I will forever be grateful to the centre for shaping my career during my formative years.”

Expressing her confidence in the successful conduct of the forthcoming Khelo India University Games, Ankushita said that previous experiences of hosting such big ticket events successfully will make the job easier.

“Assam has successfully hosted such big-ticket events in the past, and this time, I am sure the state government will be committed to make it even better. If we speak of the sports infrastructure in Assam, we are in no way less than any sporting powerhouses of the country.”

“The recently launched National Centre of Excellence in Amingaon is a world class facility for badminton players, for boxers we have a number of great training facilities across the city, and the state in general. For other sports too, the infrastructure is equally good, and hosting such events will further boost it,” she cited.

Welcoming the participants of the KIUG 2023, the 2022 Asian championship bronze medallist said, “It also gives the participants a very good chance to experience Assam and the Northeast, offering a wide range of ethnic cuisines, music, natural beauty and wildlife.”

Guwahati: Seasoned weightlifter Popy Hazarika, who represented India at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, acknowledged the importance of the platform that the Khelo India University Games 2023 will provide to the thousands of athletes participating from across 200 universities in the marquee event, starting February 19 here. 

Popy, a multiple medallist at the National Games, and the Commonwealth championships, believes the prestigious event, hosted in Assam for the first time, will boost the sporting culture in the state.

Welcoming the athletes to experience the warmth and hospitality in the Gateway of the Northeast, Popy said, “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 mother, who worked as a farm hand and cook to support her four daughters after losing her husband, Popy had overcome multiple challenges after losing her father, a driver by profession. 

A product of the SAI centre in Golaghat, Popy, who won the 59kg gold in the Khelo India National Weightlifting Championships in 2022, said that the exposure athletes get by taking part at events like the KIUG is massive.  

“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 said.

The 25-year-old from Namti Salkathoni village in Sivasagar district, also reflected on the significance of the KIUG taking place in 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 also spoke highly of the state’s support for athletes, while citing the Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government’s decision to provide jobs to medallists of major national 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 said.

“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 bring out a number of champions from the home state.