Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today teed off the Assam International Diplomats Invitation Golf Meet 2014 at Kaziranga Golf Resort near here.
Terming the golf meet as a good beginning, Gogoi said the event has not only brought golf tourism to the fore but also showcased Assam's rich cultural heritage, tea and wildlife splendours before the visiting dignitaries.
The event would foster camaraderie and bonhomie among the participants and thus help in promoting peace and harmony, said Gogoi who is also a keen golfer.
"I hope the distinguished dignitaries from different countries will become ambassadors of Assam. And I extend an invitation to everyone to come to Assam once more," he said.
Ambassadors of Philippines, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and High Commissioners of Sri Lanka and Brunei, Deputy Head of Delegation European Union and Deputy Chief of Mission, First Secretary, Cambodia participated in the golf meet.
The Chief Minister said Jorhat was selected as the venue of the meet as it offers many delights to the tourists.
"Jorhat is famous for tea, wildlife and cultural tourism. Majuli is the world's largest riverine island and the seat of Vaishnavism. Sivasagar, not far off from Jorhat, was the capital of the Ahoms (kingdom) dotted with historical monuments," he said.
Gogoi said thrust was given on developing tourism related to golf, wildlife, tea, adventure, rural and culture to solve unemployment problem.
Recalling the contribution of tea planter the late Hemendra Prasad Barooah, he said, "it was Barooah who told me about his plan of converting some parts of his tea garden into a golf course. I agreed and now it has come about."
Gogoi thanked eminent journalist M J Akbar for giving birth to the idea of holding a diplomatic golf meet in Assam.
Speaking on behalf of the dignitaries, Ambassador of Zimbabwe in India, Jonathan Wutawunashe, said, "It has been a wonderful experience for everyone to come to this beautiful place and to enjoy the pleasant weather under a clear blue sky amidst tea gardens".
"I simply love the place. The serenity of Kaziranga, the place where we spotted the rhinos, the food. Everything and wish to stay here for long," Wutawunashe said.
The dignitaries played friendly matches with members of the Assam Golf Association.
