ITANAGAR, Aug 29: Sixty six  sportspersons  were felicitated with cash incentives for their outstanding performance in various competitions at the Zonal, National & International levels by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs today on the occasion of National Sports Day.
The Sports department every year confers cash incentive awards to meritorious sportspersons on the occasion of National Sports Day on August 29. Cash incentive award is an initiative of the Sports department which is covered under the state sports policy. This was started in the year 2012 & till date an amount of Rs. 4,73,94,989.00 (Rupees Four Crore Seventy Three Lakhs Ninety Four thousand Nine Hundred Eighty Nine) has been disbursed.
In view of COVID-19 protocol, the whole event was held virtually. Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, Mama Natung attended the event as Chief Guest along with Secretary (SYA) Anirudh Singh , Chairman Sports Authority of Arunachal  Byabang Taj, Directors and other officers also attended the event virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, Natung recalled the history of National Sports Day and paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand. He informed that this year, 66 athletes of various sports disciplines such as Archery, Boxing, Football, Judo, Kickboxing, Karate-do, Taekwondo, Weightlifting & Wushu were felicitated with cash incentives. Moreover, 10% of the total amount will be disbursed to the concerned coach as per the sports policy, he said.
Speaking to reporters, the Minister said "The Department is focusing on all sports disciplines so that in the next Olympics players from Arunachal Pradesh could qualify and bring medals for the country.” Natung also informed that construction for the National Center of Excellence will begin soon and well qualified coaches for various events are being engaged to improve the skills of the players.
He further appealed to every citizen to participate in physical activity to keep themselves fit thus fulfilling the  Prime Minister’s vision of "Fit India Movement”.
Meanwhile a friendly football match between the Minister Team and Chairman-SAA was also held to mark the National Sports Day at Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy, Chimpu.

---

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