5th state-level sports meet for inmates of social welfare homes inaugurated at SAI

Kolkata: Sujit Bose, state Fire and Emergency Services minister (Independent Charge) inaugurated the 5th State Level Sports Cultural Meet for the inmates of social welfare homes at the complex of Sports Authority of India, Salt Lake.

Siddiqualla Chowdhury, minister of state for Mass Education, Extension and Library Services department, Sambaran Banerjee, former cricketer, Mouma Das, Indian women table tennis player were present at the inaugural function.

Fifty social welfare homes across the state are categorised under state welfare homes, aided homes and sponsored homes. Destitute children within the age group of 6 to 18 years are taken care in these homes. As the state government bears the entire responsibility of food, lodging and education of the children hailing from marginally placed families, they are also encouraged to take part in athletic events for achieving a healthy student life.

Starting from 2014, in the fifth version of the event, this year the two-day event is being organised in a grand manner.

Apart from hosting a sports competition among the inmates of child welfare homes, a cultural competition has also been scheduled. Around 900 children from 50 such institutions have been enlisted for the sports meet.

In total, 32 events will be there in the Sports Meet that would include 100-metre dash, 200-metre run, high jump, long jump etc, arranged separately for boys and girls.

Winners of each game will be felicitated with awards, while a talent hunt will be organised later only for the champions and the selected ones will get direct access to Sports Authority of India (SAI).

On the first day of the event, a cultural meet will take place for these children. Dance, drama and drawing competitions will also be held as part of the programme.