DARAK, Nov 24: The Arunachal Pradesh government is constructing 15 big sports infrastructures worth Rs 23 crores across the state with support from the National Sports Development Fund. Out of the seven national level outdoor stadiums, four – one each at Yupia, Ziro, Daporijo and Pasighat – are complete and functional, while work is in progress on the other three at Aalo, Chimpu and Tezu.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu was speaking as he declared the 5th edition of the Sports Carnival of Liromoba Assembly constituency at Darak village here in West Siang district open today.
Emphasizing on regular games and sports activities for a healthy body and to foster brotherhood and unity, he lauded local legislator Nyamar Karbak for organizing the unique sports carnival in his constituency since 2016.
He said such events at the grass root level will give a fillip to the efforts put in by the state government as well as the central government for achieving excellence in sports.
“We are giving top priority to games and sports and results are showing. Today Arunachal Pradesh is considered a sporting powerhouse, especially in individual events,” he said.
Khandu expressed concern on delay in completion of the Aalo outdoor stadium, which was sanctioned about five years ago.
“When an airport can be completed in just three years (Donyi Polo Airport), why can’t a stadium be?” he expressed surprise and urged the concerned executing agency, contractor and the district administration complete its construction at the earliest.
Under Khelo India program of the central government, Khandu informed 20 multipurpose indoor sports halls are under construction in various parts of the state, of which three – Tirbin, Basar and Dirang – are complete. Further, he revealed, three more sports infrastructure have been sanctioned by DoNER Ministry and will be soon executed.
“I have already suggested our Sports department and the Arunachal Olympic Association to plan and roll out a ‘Mission Olympics’ targeting the 2028 Olympics Games,” he said.
Khandu explained that sportspersons of the state are excelling in individual events like Karate, Wushu, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, etc, therefore he has asked the sports department to identify at least five such disciplines and groom the players for it.
“We have no dearth of funds. Let us nurture, groom, and produce world class sportspersons, who can compete in events like the Olympics,” he said.
The week-long Sports Carnival is being organized by the Lodu Banggo Sports Association and teams from all 31 gram panchayats of the constituency will be competing in various events including football. 
The chief minister on the day inaugurated at least 29 projects in Liromoba constituency completed in recent times executed by PWD, RWD, PHED, Arunachal Pradesh Police Housing and Sports department.
Later, on way to Kamba, Khandu visited Nomuk village and appreciated the decision taken by the villagers to convert the defunct village school to a Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya. He assured to take up the matter with the Vivekananda Kendra so that proposal materializes.
The Chief Minister also assured to place funds for maintenance of roads to Nomuk, Yomcha and Liromoba.
Incidentally, Khandu became the first chief minister to visit Nomuk village ever. 

---

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

<< Back to News List