ZIRO, Dec 4: Badminton Association India (BAI) Vice President, S Murlidharan called upon the people of Ziro Valley to encourage the youths to take part in games and sports in a professional way.
He made this appeal when Lower Subansiri District Badminton Association (LSDBA) Secretary Michi Takum informed visiting BAI officials that, unlike in other parts of the districts, the parents here usually do not allow or encourage their wards to take part in games and sports events.
“Participation in games and sports is just wastage of time and energy and there is no future for sportspersons,” Michi quoted the parents as saying.
Murlidharan cited the example of shuttler PV Sindhu (World No 2), whose yearly earning is around Rs 200 crore, and said there is no reason why the Arunachalees, and players from Ziro, cannot perform like Sindhu and other players of national and international repute.
Sports Authority of Arunachal Chairman, Bamang Tago, who accompanied the BAI official, informed that development of sports is one of the flagship programmes of the central government.
“The state government too has been emphasizing on developing the sports sector and has made many reforms for the growth of games and sports in the state,” Tago said.
The visiting BAI officials assured to bring firsthand information about the grassroots level situation in rural area of Arunachal Pradesh to the notice of BAI President Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.
S Murlidharan was the first Indian international badminton referee. He had also represented the country during 1968 to 1969 in many international badminton events. He also coached the Indian team for many years and later became coach of Badminton World Federation. He has conducted ‘Olympic solidarity courses’ in more than 20 countries and he is also a recipient of the Meritorious Services Award from the BWF.
His visit has immensely benefitted the frontier state, particularly the badminton lovers, the ASBA said.
Vice President of Chandigarh Badminton Association, Raj Parmar, accompanied the BAI official.
