Even if Arunachal Pradesh got the opportunity to host the National Games 2024, which no doubt would have illuminated its presence more prominently in the national sporting arena, it had to forego the chance. The reason is a familiar one which continues to torment the state, having almost a blanket presence and acting as a speed breaker to so many dreams- lack of infrastructure. And that even a solid four-year gap isn’t adequate enough to have things done has laid bare the fact that sports infrastructure in state, currently, is lagging miles behind any ideal standard. If this was a harsh reality shared by the Chief Minister at the inaugural ceremony of the 3rd State Olympics Games on Friday, the fact that Arunachal is not relinquishing the efforts of hosting the Games altogether and will reapply for the 2026 edition is a matter of hope. It’s obvious that bare practicalities has compelled the state to go for a two-year breather, but, it’s always better late than never.
Coming to the game itself, it will be a good platform for the state’s sports persons to showcase their potential and, in colloquial sports parlance, will serve as a launching pad for the tournaments of higher importance, both national and international. With more than 1600 participants from all 25 districts, it will give opportunity for spotters to discover the medal-churners of tomorrow, and will also allow to arrive at a hawk-eyed assessment of what needs to be done in long-term perspective. Along with those delivering the ‘hits’ through winning of medals, those managing only ‘misses’ must also receive proportional attention. This fact-finding exercise is more important, since, it will help ascertaining the reasons of these temporary failures, and thereby allow undertaking a proper plan of action. 
Time and again, Arunachalee boys and girls have proved their calibre in various national and international competitions and the dream to make big is always nurtured by them and there do exist a sports culture in state. Again, it’s a fact this culture has somehow remained restricted to a zone of moderate manifestation due to various reasons, of which, the major must be the want of minimum sports infrastructural facilities. Now, when this is the acknowledged anodyne for the state’s sports bottlenecks, the only rational conclusion will be to make amends with seriousness and strictly within time frames. The six years that will be left from now must be devoted to this great cause and state administration must gear itself up to shoulder the onus.
Taking a macro view, it needs reminding once more that it’s infra alone that is persistently halting Arunachal’s progress. Without doubt, building them will serve as the panacea the state needs desperately.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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