Local athelte Sonia in commonwealth run
Raiganj:
Residents of Raiganj have pinned hopes on Sonia Baishya, a local girl, to achieve medals at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.
On Saturday, Sonia will participate at the finals of the 4 X 400 relay race at the international sports event. She is the sole member in the Indian squad from north Bengal.
“I have spoken with her over phone and have mentioned about the high hopes of Raiganj residents. We will organise a puja at home ahead of her event. But I will not join others to watch the live telecast. All of us are eagerly waiting for her success,” Baren, her father, a resident of Netajipally in the town, said.
In 2017, Sonia had bagged gold at the same event in the Open National Athletics Championship that was held in Chennai. Then she participated at 18th Asian Games Invitation Tournament held on February this year at Jakarta in Indonesia. There, she had also won the gold medal.
“Sonia’s consistent performance has helped her to secure a berth in the Indian squad that was sent for Commonwealth Games. India has already won a number of gold medals in the event but Saturday’s event is most important to us. We want to see her succeed,” said a sports enthusiast of the town.
Ahead of the event, residents, social organisations and even the North Dinajpur district administration have drawn up plans to pray for us as well as put giant screens to show the live telecast of Sonia’s event.
“A giant screen would be put at the stadium here where people can watch the event. Sonia Baishya has made North Dinajpur district proud and to encourage more children and youths to join the sports arena, we have made the arrangement,” said Ayesha Rani A, DM, North Dinajpur.
Sonia’s friends have planned a prayer meeting for her success. Also, organisers of Quiz Premiere League, a which will be held in the town from Saturday, have said that they would pray for her ahead of their programme.
“All eyes would be on Sonia on Saturday. People are planning celebrations if she succeeds,” said a representative of the District Sports Association.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph,Calcutta,India / Home> West Bengal / by Kousik Sen / April 14th, 2018