ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Dec 14: Arjuna awardee world rally championship driver Gaurav Gill who is also a three-time Asia Pacific champion, accompanied by two-time Indian national rally champion and European rally championship driver Amitrajit Ghosh and President, Motorsport Club of Arunachal Lhakpa Tsering and a team of local rally drivers today called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu here at his office.
The Chief Minister was apprised about the forthcoming Indian National Racing Championship 2020  scheduled to be held in the outskirts of the state capital from December 16-20 organized by the Motorsport Club of Arunachal. On being informed about participation of 43 racers including 4 from the state despite the COVID pandemic in the flagship event supported by the departments of Tourism, Sports & Youth Affairs, Police departments and several organizations and volunteers, Khandu expressed satisfaction that local talents will get a boost through the event. 
Welcoming both Gill and Ghosh to the state, Khandu expressed optimism the event would work as a catalyst to boost tourism in the state. “With its geographical terrain, Arunachal Pradesh has all the potential to become the next destination of adventure sports and we are proud to host an event as big as the INRC. I hope everybody has a wonderful stay and the event becomes a grand success,” he added.
The event will be flagged off by the Chief Minister on December 16. The four drivers from the state who will be participating for the first time are Phurpa Tsering, Naku Chada, Hage Bittu and lady driver Nabam Asha from Sagalee and all of them will be sponsored by JK Tyre. Arjuna awardee Gill while expressing excitement about resuming the sport after a long hiatus said: “It is a great feeling to be back behind the wheels for a competition after a break due to the pandemic and our team is ready to assert our supremacy once again. I would like to express my gratitude to the Arunachal Pradesh government for their endless support.” Besides Gill, defending champion of the first Arunachal edition of the rally cum European Rally Championship winner Chetan Shivram will also be participating in the rally.
Meanwhile, an elated Phurpa Tsering while speaking about his chances in the competition informed it was for the first time in his seven-year long rallying career he will be sponsored by a big name in Indian motorsports. “I feel truly motivated and from now onwards I won’t have to worry about raising money to take part in a national championship. Moreover, I am really excited as I will be getting guidance and valuable tips from ace drivers like Gaurav Gill,” the 31-year-old professional driver said.
Another driver from the capital and the first lady driver from the state Nabam Asha hoped her participation would inspire other women to take interest in the adventure sport. Sounding confident about her chances she informed she did well in previous motorsport events including the one in Dambuk. “I am lucky to be familiar with the terrain and am confident that it will hold me in good stead in the two rounds here,” she added. The same confidence was echoed by another talented local participant Naku Chada.
Speaking to the reporters, President, Motorsport Club of Arunachal informed that at least 86 highly-competitive drivers and navigators are expected to participate in the rally to be held on the 13 km stretch from Chimpu to Hollongi. “INRC 3-day Round 1 is from Dec 15-17 and Round 2 is from December 18-20,” he informed , adding that along with a slew of benefits to the Indian rally scene, the promoters Champions Yacht Club under Vamsi Merla have brought benefits that have trickled down to the drivers, where huge costs of transportation, tyres, free accommodation and entry fee waiver have been covered. All COVID precautions have been taken and there will be three life-support ambulances, teams of doctors, paramedics and NDRF during the rally to extend help in case of any eventuality, he assured.
It needs mentioning that Arunachal Pradesh is one of the states in the Northeast having a great enthusiasm in motorsporting activities. The adventure sport has become popular in the state due to a number of events held annually with JK Tyre at the forefront, the company that has now become synonymous with the sports due to its uninterrupted association for almost three decades. 

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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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