NAHARLAGUN, Nov 1: Eleven schools of the Capital Complex came out to participate in the first inter-school basketball tournament of the state that began here at the Royal International School on Friday.
The tournament, organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Basketball Association (APBA), has 16 teams, of which five are girls' teams and 11 boys' teams.
The inaugural match was played between the boys’ team of Holy Cross School and Don Bosco School, where the latter won with a whooping 37 against 8 points.
In a high-paced match between the boys of RGU Government Middle School (RGUGMS) and Global Academy, the team of RGUGMS won with 16-15 points.
KV No.1 (Boys’ team) beat Lekhi Public School with 18-17 points, while Eleazer English School (Boys’ team) beat host Royal International School with 8-6 points. The boys’ team of Model English School won with 17 points against Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan’s 4 points.
In the girls’ category, Don Bosco School beat Royal International School 14-9 points, while the KV No. 1 won against the girls’ team of Good Shephard Public School with 12-10 points.
Earlier, inaugurating the event, Arunachal Olympic Association general secretary Abraham Techi said, "basketball is a baby of three years and if the APBA maintains the spirit, I am sure within the next few years we will have players representing the state in the national and international levels.”
He also said that the state government is taking active initiatives for the development of sports under Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mama Natung.
He noted that the game of basketball was concentrated in the capital region, specifically in private schools, and highlighted the lack of basketball coaches in the state.
“Most government schools do not have basketball courts. The Arunachal Olympic Association will appraise the government of this matter, particularly the Sports department, to introduce the game of basketball in school and college levels,” he assured, adding. Interschool basketball tournament held
“However, students too have to show their love for the game so that the government can seriously consider the establishment of basketball courts and recruitment of basketball coaches.”
“I don't think we have a single basketball coach appointed by the state and the department has to view it seriously. We should not dishearten the young people that have taken up the sport seriously,” he added.
Arunachal Kick Boxing Association president Bulang marik and Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy Principal Komen Zirdo also lauded the efforts of the APBA for developing the game of basketball in the state with regular events and encouraged more players to come out and participate.
Speaking to reporters, APBA president Donyi Ori said, “The APBA aims to make basketball a part of the school curriculum. We hope that the lone sports school, the Sanghay Lhaden Sports Academy will consider adding the discipline of basketball in the academy and create more opportunities for state basketball players.”
He was hopeful that the Education department and the Sports department would extend their support to the APBA in taking the inter-school tournament to the districts for statewide participation.
The quarter finals will be played on 2 November and the final is scheduled to take place on 3 November in the same location.

---

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