Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, 27 June 2026, revealed that legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar had called on him in Guwahati and proposed organising an international marathon in the city modelled on the prestigious Tokyo Marathon. The Chief Minister said the state government would be glad to host the event and would 'definitely examine' the proposal.

Context

Posting on social media, CM Sarma wrote that Gavaskar — widely known by his nickname 'Sunny' — had met him and put forward the idea of an international marathon in Guwahati on the lines of the Tokyo Marathon '25. The Chief Minister added a personal note, saying he shared his 'childhood memories of those SUNNY knocks' with the cricket legend, a sentiment many of his generation would recognise.

Sunil Gavaskar is one of India's most celebrated sporting icons, widely regarded as among the greatest opening batsmen in Test cricket history, with 34 Test centuries to his name. His nickname 'Sunny' has been part of Indian sporting vocabulary for decades.

Policy Backdrop

Indian states have increasingly looked to city marathons modelled on global events to promote fitness, tourism, and urban visibility. Established races in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru — running since the 2000s — have demonstrated that large-scale running events can attract international participants, generate significant economic activity, and put host cities on the global sporting map.

The Tokyo Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors, renowned for its scale, elite athlete participation, and meticulous city-wide organisation. Benchmarking a proposed Guwahati event against Tokyo signals an ambition for international-standard infrastructure and outreach rather than a regional race.

Assam under CM Sarma has actively pursued sports and tourism-linked events as part of broader efforts to raise the profile of the Northeast and develop supporting infrastructure. Proposals of this kind typically require a formal feasibility assessment, potential partnerships with athletics bodies, and state government backing before moving to execution.

Stakeholders and Impact

A successful international marathon in Guwahati would directly benefit local and regional athletes, providing a world-class competitive platform close to home. The city's tourism and hospitality sectors would also stand to gain, as marathon events typically draw participants, support staff, and spectators from across the country and abroad.

For the broader Northeast region, hosting an internationally recognised running event could strengthen the case for improved road infrastructure, sports facilities, and connectivity — priorities that state governments in the region have long advocated. Local athletics federations and running communities would be among the most immediate stakeholders in any feasibility discussions that follow.

What's Next

CM Sarma has indicated the government will 'definitely examine' the proposal, suggesting a formal feasibility assessment is the immediate next step. Any concrete announcement on partnerships, timelines, or event structure would follow that internal review.

The proposal's progress will depend on engagement with national and international athletics bodies, potential private sponsors, and the logistical groundwork required to stage a marathon at the scale of a World Marathon Major. Whether Guwahati moves from proposal to confirmed host city will be closely watched by the region's sports and tourism stakeholders.