Assam observed State Sports Day 2026 on 3 September, commemorating the birth anniversary of legendary athlete Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah. The occasion also saw the presentation of the State Sports Awards, recognising athletes, para-athletes, coaches and physical education instructors.

About State Sports Day

• State Sports Day has been observed annually since 2021 in honour of Bhogeswar Baruah, state’s first Arjuna awardee.
• Baruah became the first Assamese athlete to win an Asian Games gold medal when he won the 800-metre race at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok and followed it up with a silver in the 4 × 400 m relay in the 1970 Asian Games.
• He was also the first sportsperson from Assam and the Northeast to receive the Arjuna Award.

• The idea to celebrate Baruah’s birthday as a sporting day was sparked by Abhiruchi, a popular Assamese sports magazine; hence the name “Abhiruchi Sports Day” or “Abhiruchi Krira Diwas.”

Note: 29 August is observed as India’s National Sports Day to celebrate the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand.

State Sports Awards 2025 

• The awards announced by the Chief Minister last year were presented at the event. 
• Aikon Mili, a boxer, was honoured as the Best Sportsperson of 2025 and received ₹50,000.
• Para-athlete Anyatam Rajkumar received the Best Para-Sportsperson Award along with ₹50,000.
• Ushuka Nang Mingbi Barphukan was recognised as the Promising Player and received ₹25,000.
• Ananta Borthakur, for canoeing and kayaking, and Momi Kachari, for wushu, received the Best Coach Awards.
• Jiban Bora of Sonitpur and Manoranjan Hazarika of Dibrugarh were recognised as the Best Physical Education Instructors.

State Sports Awards 2026

The Sports and Youth Welfare Department also announced the recipients of the State Sports Awards 2026.

• Mayank Chakraborty, Assam’s first Grandmaster, was selected as the Best Sportsperson of the Year.
• Ababil Ali was selected as the Best Para-Sportsperson, highlighting the importance of inclusive sports.
• Aichengfa Gogoi, a weightlifter, received the Promising Sportsperson Award.
• Boxing coach Amar Kumar Deka and badminton coach Amlan Bhattacharya were selected as Best Coaches of the Year.
• Hemanta Singh of Jorhat and Niren Phukan of Dibrugarh were recognised as Best Physical Education Instructors.

Institutional Context and Objectives

• The Sports and Youth Welfare Department is the principal state department responsible for promoting sports, physical fitness and youth development in Assam.
• The larger objective is to build a sporting culture from the grassroots, identify promising talent, encourage professional training and make sports more accessible.
• This approach complements national initiatives such as Khelo India, which seeks to strengthen sports infrastructure, grassroots participation and identification of sporting talent across India.
• The celebration also included the National Cadet Corps–Bir Chilarai Awards and National Service Scheme Assam State Awards.

Exam Hook – Prelims

Consider the following statements:

1. Assam observes State Sports Day on 3 September in honour of Bhogeswar Baruah.
2. Bhogeswar Baruah won an Asian Games gold medal in 1966.
3. He was the first sportsperson from Assam to receive the Arjuna Award.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 1, 2 and 3.

One-line Wrap

Assam State Sports Day transforms the memory of sporting icons like Bhogeswar Baruah into a wider mission of youth participation, talent identification, inclusion and sporting excellence.