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Sarbananda Sonowal took charge as the Minister of State (Independent charge) of Youth Affairs and Sports Tuesday.
He was welcomed by the ministry officials at his Shastri Bhawan office. He was cautious taking questions from the media.
“Today is the first day. I need your (media) support and support of the countrymen to make this ministry important and visible,” Mr. Sonowal, the Lok Sabha MP from Lakhimpur constituency in Assam, told reporters after taking charge.
“I want the sports personalities to grow from our countryside,” he added.
When asked about his goals for the ministry, he said “Some other day I will talk in detail about my future plan and action. I will discuss (matters) with sports experts and sports personalities of the country to carry out my functions and responsibilities effectively.”
The new minister was asked of the possibility of resumption of India-Pakistan cricket matches. “We are always interested to develop good relations with our neighbouring countries”, he said.
Immediately after his brief interaction with media, Mr. Sonowal sat with Sports Secretary Ajit M Sharan and other officials to discuss the roadmap ahead.
