Guwahati, Feb 12 (IANS): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has pledged to take up new initiatives to promote sports in the state, his office said here on Friday.

He interacted with a number of sportspersons through Google Hangout on Thursday evening. They discussed the development of sports infrastructure in the state.

Gogoi said his government would take up new initiatives to promote games like mixed martial arts, Rubik's Cube and so on.

"I feel the more we promote new games in the state the better it would be. I personally take interest in sports and I think introduction of new games and their promotion would be a great thing," said Gogoi.

He also emphasized on the need of physical education.

To take up sports and physical education not only as a hobby, but also as a dedicated profession, we have constituted the Lakshmibai Institute of Physical Education, he said.

Sports should not be limited to the cities only. Sports make people competitive, disciplined, productive, and at the same time promote team spirit, friendship and sportsmanship, he added.