KAMBA, Dec 2: The long awaited sports policy of the state was finally launched by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday.
“The objectives of the policy are to pursue excellence and to put in place a system to encourage and identify young talents and promotion of sports for all,” the Chief Minister said after launching the policy.
Congratulating the Sports Department, Pema said that it would provide necessary incentives and recognition to the budding sportsperson and achievers from the state.
The sports policy was first approved in the 2012 state cabinet meeting; but in subsequent years it remained only in papers. After persistent efforts from the present government, the state’s sports policy saw the light of the day, the Chief Minister said.
He also declared open the first ever sports carnival in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, state BJP President Tapir Gao, Sports Parliamentary Secretary Nyamar Karbak, and a host of dignitaries at the general ground.
The sports carnival is hosted by the Kamba Banggo Sports Association and organised by the state Sports Department.
Pema said the state Government is focusing on youth development, and on nurturing their sporting talent. He said every district will have outdoor and indoor stadiums, including a new sports stadium in Itanagar.
He informed that all incomplete work for the construction of stadiums across the state taken up earlier under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) will be now financed by the State Government. Accordingly, he said, the Sports Department has been directed to start the work through state funding.
He also informed that in his recent meeting with Union Sports Minister, Col Rajyavardhan Rathore, the ministry asked for a proposal for indoor and outdoor stadiums in the state. “Accordingly, the Sports Department has been asked to finalize the proposals to be sent to the Centre,” Khandu said.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by local MLA Nyamar Karbak, the Chief Minister assured to sanction Rs 32 crore for a bridge over the Yomgo River to connect Kombo village. He also promised to take up road construction work under the CRF to connect villages beyond Kombo.
He said a mini-secretariat and a tourist lodge would be established in the area, and that he would look into the water and electricity shortage in the area. He asked the local MLA to prepare a DPR for all these projects.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the sports policy would help sportspersons in building sports as their career. He said the state government is focused on innovative solutions for the development of Arunachal.
“The state government is organizing a policy conclave shortly, involving experts and think-tanks for bringing better solutions. The conclave will be the basis on which the next year’s budget will be prepared, bringing in innovations,” said Mein.
Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Island Resort at the bank of Yomgo River soon after his arrival. Thereafter he laid the foundation stone for Providing Water Supply (PWS) in Darak township, and for an enquiry-cum-office building in Kamba. He also laid the foundation stone for a multipurpose badminton court in Ruyi Kamba and Darak.
The CM also inaugurated the double-storied administrative building at Donyi Polo Government College in Kamki, and a veterinary dispensary centre in Kamki.
The Deputy Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for augmentation of water supply to Liromoba headquarters, and for a double-storied community health centre in Kamba. He also laid the foundation stone for a multipurpose badminton court in Liromoba, and an audience gallery at the general ground in Yomcha.
Gao laid the foundation stone for a multipurpose community hall in Darak village, and inaugurated the Keba Dere in Kamba.