GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, August 28, inaugurated the National Centre of Excellence for Swimming at Amingaon, marking a major addition to the state’s sports infrastructure.
ALSO READ: Guwahati Green Bus Passengers Raise Concerns Over AC Failures, Loose Windows
Built by the Assam Government at an estimated cost of ₹50 crore, the centre has been designed to provide international-standard training facilities to swimmers and help produce athletes capable of competing at national and international levels.
The world-class facility includes a 50-metre, nine-lane Olympic-standard swimming pool and a 25-metre diving pool. It also has spectator galleries with a seating capacity of 1,309.
During the inaugural ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Assam Sports Authority, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Badminton Association of India. Under the agreement, SAI will operate and manage the National Centre of Excellence for Swimming for 30 years.
SAI will be responsible for the overall management of the centre, including recruitment of coaches and support staff, provision of sports equipment and organising training camps, competitions and other activities.
Initially, 40 residential athletes will be enrolled at the centre. Local athletes will also be provided opportunities to train through a special SAI scheme.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Sarma said the new swimming centre would strengthen Amingaon’s emergence as one of Assam’s major sports hubs. The area already has cricket and badminton infrastructure, with further projects under development.
Referring to the success of athletes such as badminton player Asmita Chaliha, who trained at the National Centre of Excellence for Badminton at Amingaon, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the swimming centre would similarly produce athletes who can represent Assam and India at major national and international competitions.
Sarma also highlighted several upcoming sports infrastructure projects in Guwahati. He said the cricket stadium currently under construction at Amingaon, at an estimated cost of ₹300 crore, is expected to be inaugurated in 2027.
To improve access to the three sports facilities at Amingaon, the government is widening the road in front of the complexes and plans to construct a multi-level parking facility capable of accommodating around 2,000 vehicles. Hostels are also being constructed for athletes and coaches associated with cricket, badminton and swimming.
The Chief Minister further announced plans to upgrade and renovate the Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at Sarusajai, with steps to be taken during the current year.
He also said a FIFA-standard football stadium is being constructed at the old Nehru Stadium under the Radha Gobinda Baruah Sports Complex.
Sarma said that once the ongoing and planned projects are completed, Guwahati would be able to join the list of major cities with an impressive concentration of sports facilities. He added that the government is also working to develop international-standard sports infrastructure in Dibrugarh.
The Chief Minister said the government would continue investing in quality sports infrastructure to support emerging athletes and strengthen Assam’s position as a major sporting destination.
Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Biswajit Daimary, MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, MLAs Prakash Das and Diganta Kalita, SAI Deputy Director General Manjushree Dayanand and several other dignitaries attended the inauguration.