Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday appealed to the sportspersons of the state not to be complacent with what they have achieved so far but strive harder for more laurels to “conquer the world with sporting power”.

Presenting the annual Chief Minister’s Sports Awards of cash incentives to 22 sportspersons for winning medals in international events here on Sunday evening, Sonowal said: “This is not the end. There is more to achieve. You have to win world championships and Olympic medals. For that, there is no place for complacency. Since there is no shortcut to success, you all will have to strive harder for more laurels and conquer the world with sporting power of this state’s talents.”

“The more medals you win for the country, the stronger will our sports policy become. There will be many more rewards up for grabs in future,” he added.

The annual sports award is sponsored by the State Level Advisory Committee for Students and Youth Welfare. Cash rewards were presented to medalists of the 12th and 13th South Asian Games held in Guwahati (2016) and Nepal (2019) in the ceremony. Besides, medal winners of various Asian championships were also presented the incentives.

“If Hima Das, a girl from a remote village in Nagaon district, who had no facility to groom herself, can conquer the world with her hard work, everything is humanly possible if you are dedicated, determined, devoted and hard working. I am sure there is abundant talent in this state and your government is always with you to help you conquer the world. It’s my appeal to all sportspersons to approach us through the sports department for any help they need to progress in career. Our motto is to groom a strong sporting nation,” he said.

He also appealed to the people of Guwahati to join hands with the organising body to make the 3rd Khelo India Youth Games here next month a grand success like in the past when Guwahati hosted major sporting events.