GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, July 5, announced that a new FIFA Fan Park will be set up in Jorhat from July 6, expanding the state's football viewing initiative beyond Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
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Addressing a press conference following the Assam Cabinet meeting at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Sarma said the government also plans to establish a FIFA Fan Park in Silchar, allowing football enthusiasts in the Barak Valley to watch the remaining matches of the FIFA World Cup.
"The FIFA Fan Park will come up in Jorhat from July 6, and we will soon try to extend the initiative to Silchar as well, so that people can witness the quarterfinal, semifinal and final," the Chief Minister said.
Sarma said the initiative is aimed at engaging young people through sports while strengthening their connection with the government.
"This is an initiative to engage the youth with the government and sports, to give positivity to them," he said.
Describing the programme as a modest effort that has received an encouraging response, the Chief Minister added, "It was a very small initiative, but people are appreciating it."
The FIFA Fan Parks, launched by the Assam government during the ongoing FIFA World Cup, have attracted large crowds in Guwahati and Dibrugarh, with fans gathering to watch matches on giant screens in a festive atmosphere.