October 4, 2024
October 4, 2024
NEW DELHI, Apr 24: A delegation of the Sports Authority of Arunachal (SAA) led by its chairman Bamang Tago called on Union MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju here on Saturday last and sought the latter’s personal intervention for all-round development of games and sports in the frontier state.
Responding to the request of the visiting delegation, Rijiju assured them of extending all possible support.
The delegation of Sports Authority of Arunachal also had a meeting with Sports Authority of India (SAI) director general (DG) Injeti Srinivas at Shastri Bhawan where they sought valuable financial assistance for taking up sports related infra-infrastructure development activities in Arunachal Pradesh.
The list of development activities that the delegation placed before the SAI DG included setting up a Sai-Dorjee Khandu Badminton Academy, a SAI Centre each at Rakap (Itanagar) and Miao, upgradation of the present SAG Centre at Naharlagun and shifting it to Sopo village, and providing eleven coaches for the Government Sangay Lhadden Sports Academy at Chimpu.
Tago also pointed out to the DG that unlike other states, Arunachal Pradesh faces several challenges, including the fact that a number of youth are prone to be lured away by unwanted anti-social elements which are active due to the state’s proximity with countries and groups hostile to India.
Hence, managing and regulating games and sports is a way forward to channelize the youth force in the right perspective, Tago said.
The SAA chairman also lamented during interaction that the development of games and sports was one of the major focus areas of Centre and state government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Pema Khandu respectively, with a mission called “Sports for all” to explore hidden talents by providing regular coaching and exposure to compete at national and International levels.
After a patient hearing, DG Srinivas agreed to depute the Executive Director (Finance and Operations) one Hira Ballabh, IRAS, along with Subhash Basumatary, Regional Director, SAI, Guwahati to Arunachal Pradesh in the month of May to assess the ground situation for early consideration of the proposals put forward by the SAA delegation.
Srinivas also assured Rs 15 crore for construction of proposed badminton academy as central assistance.
Earlier, the delegation led Tago visited Mizoram, Telangana (Hyderabad), Gujarat and Delhi where officials of the respective states shared their experiences in managing and regulating for development of sports including avenues in detail through power point presentations. The team also visited the indoor and outdoor stadia of these states including the Gopichand Badminton Academy interacted with ace shuttlers P V Sindhu, S Srikhan and other eminent coaches.
Tago was accompanied by his vice chairman G Doke, member secretary Gumnia Karbak, sports director Tadar Appa and Youth Affairs assistant director Karbia Dodum.
