In Tripura, a 4-day 50th State Athletics Championship 2016 started at Dasarath Dev State Sports Complex in Agartala today. Around 450 athletes participated in the opening ceremony. Chief Guest of the function and Sports Minister of Tripura, Mr. Sahid Choudhuri on the occasion said that this kind of event is necessary to attract the sports talents from the grassroot level of the state. He further added that, if one is nurtured properly, more sports persons from Tripura can represent the nation at world forum.On the occasion, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winner Dipa Karmakar, Dronacharya Award winner Mr. Bisweshwar Nandi and S. C. Soni, Asset Manager, ONGC were present. The event, sponsored by ONGC, Tripura Asset, will conclude on 28 September, 2016.