Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on 30 August reaffirmed his government's commitment to elevating the state's sports infrastructure to international standards, promising world-class training facilities and financial assistance for talented athletes. He made the pledge while addressing a National Sports Day event at the Dashratha Deb State Sports Complex in Badharghat, Agartala.

Key Announcements at the Event

At the ceremony, Chief Minister Saha unveiled a statue of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, whose birth anniversary is observed as National Sports Day across India. Paying tribute to the hockey wizard, Saha noted that despite limited resources during his era, Dhyan Chand brought global glory to India through perseverance and dedication — qualities the state government seeks to instil in its youth.

The event was attended by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy, Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Ashok Kumar Singh — son of Major Dhyan Chand — MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Arjuna Awardee gymnast Montu Debnath, and senior officials including Youth Affairs and Sports Department Secretary Tapas Roy and Director of Sports L. Darlong.

Infrastructure Projects Underway

Chief Minister Saha outlined several ongoing and planned projects to modernise Tripura's sports ecosystem. Work is currently underway to build an international-standard cricket stadium at Narsinghgarh. A gallery with a seating capacity of approximately 30,000 is planned at Badharghat. Modern sports hostels and youth hostels are being constructed at Badharghat, Kailashahar, and Udaipur.

Additionally, synthetic football turfs have been laid across multiple districts, and modern floodlights have been installed at the Umakanta Academy ground. Saha stated that Tripura's sports infrastructure is increasingly becoming a model not just for the Northeast but for the country as a whole.

Honouring Sporting Legends Through Naming Rights

A notable feature of the state government's sports policy is the naming of facilities after eminent athletes. The synthetic athletic track at Badharghat has been named after athlete Debabhakti Jamatia, while the hockey ground bears the name of coach Swadeshpriya Nandi. A sports field at Khowai has been named after Pratul Bhattacharya, and the synthetic track at Panisagar after national athletics coach Arunabha Roy. The indoor hall at Dharmanagar is named after badminton player Gauri Shekhar Roy, and the sports hostel at Ambassa after gymnast Madhusudan Saha.

Sports as a Social and Development Tool

'The present government is not looking at sports merely as a matter of competition, but also as one of the most important means of ensuring the physical and mental development, discipline and future of the youth,' Chief Minister Saha said. He urged young people to stay away from drugs, cultivate reading habits, and actively participate in sports and constructive activities.

The state government has also introduced financial awards for players who achieve success at national and international competitions, with recognition based on merit rather than political considerations, Saha emphasised. As Tripura builds toward its sporting ambitions, the pace of project delivery — particularly the Narsinghgarh cricket stadium and the Badharghat gallery — will be closely watched.