ITANAGAR, Jun 24: The members of the girls’ football team that displayed scintillating soccer all throughout the Hero Sub-Junior Girls’ National Championship 2019-20 recently at Cuttack and emerged runners-up was today felicitated by Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The girls who turned up in their state jerseys with trophy were accompanied by their manager, coach, officials of the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association and officers of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department. Congratulating the girls and officials, Khandu said that the entire state is proud of their achievement and urged them to maintain their passion and hone the skills to move forward, adding that government will extend support for the upliftment of football in the state.
He said that although being a late starter in sports arena due to lack of infrastructure and expertise, youths of Arunachal Pradesh have shown exemplary skills in various fields of games and sports in a short span of time. He further pointed that with Kiren Rijiju as the new Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, the state can expect a visible facelift regarding sports infrastructure and sports events. CM also lauded the dedication of the present office bearers of APFA headed by its President Kipa Ajay and encouraged them to continue with their good work. As a goodwill gesture, Khandu allowed the girls a detour of the CMO including his chamber besides sharing a cup of tea with them.
The Arunachal team had a splendid run in the tournament, making history by becoming the first girls’ team from the state to make it to the finals of the championship. Till the final, the girls had an unbeaten run with Tallo Ana scoring 15 goals in five matches and emerging as highest scorer. CMO