AIU EAST ZONE INTER UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL BEGINS AT USTM

 

Shri Lakhya Konwar, VP Athletics Federation of India & GS Assam Olympic Association speaking inaugural of Inter University Basketball at USTM

9^th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi, November 15, 2022: The AIU East Zone Inter University Basketball Men & Women’s Tournaments 2022-23 which is being organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi and hosted by the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya has been inaugurated here today by Shri Lakhya Konwar, Vice President Athletics Federation of India & General Secretary Assam Olympic Association and Shri. Raj Kakoti, Vice President Assam Olympic Association, in the presence of USTM Vice Chancellor Prof GD Sharma; Shri Akash Phukan, Vice Chairman, Board of Sports, Assam; Commonwealth Gold Medalist Nayanmoni Saikia; Mr Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, Arjuna Awardee, Basketball and Captain of India Team; Mr Mohit Bhandari, Team India Coach, Basketball; Mr Arjun Singh, Member, India Team Basketball, Mr Binod Choudhury, Former India player & Head Coach at NF Railways and veteran sports journalist Mr Subudh Malla Baruah, apart from noted sports personalities and other dignitaries and sports lovers.

Players during the Inaugural Ceremony

Addressing all the participants in the inaugural ceremony, Shri. Lakhya Konwar said that the Government is promoting sports and Khelo India Program was introduced by the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for this purpose. He urged all the players coming from different states of India to inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship and give their best to the sport. “I am happy that USTM under the leadership of its dynamic Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque has come out to host this mega sporting event in the North East for the first time”, he added. Earlier, the welcome speech was delivered by Prof GD Sharma, the VC of USTM.

 

Flag Hoisting in the Inaugural Ceremony

After flag hoisting and oath taking by the participating players, the opening match was played between Gauhati University, Assam and Visva Bharati University, West Bengal.

This 11-day long tournament has begun today with the Women’s Basketball competitions in which 36 teams are participating representing different NE states, Odisha, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal. The women’s event will continue till 18^th of November while the Men’s events will start from 22^nd to 25^th November 2022 in the sports complex of USTM. A total of 51 teams are going to participate in the Men’s competitions. The top 4 teams from both Women’s and Men’s events will participate in Khelo India University Games.

Opening match of Inter University Basketball at USTM

Speaking in this context, Mr Rizaul Ahmed, Convenor, Sports Forum USTM and Organizing Secretary of East Zone Inter University Basketball Competition said, “Accommodation for all the 450 players, 70 coaches in the women’s competition and 612 players and 100 coaches in the Men’s competitions from 17^th to 26^th of November have been taken care of by USTM”. He said that the USTM has also arranged subsidised quality food for al the participants. “We have prepared two world class basketball courts where day-night games will be played and the event will be judged by 20 FIBA, BFI affiliated referees”, he added.