GUWAHATI (Assam), Jul 28: Arunachal Pradesh Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Dr Mohesh Chai exhorted the youths of the Northeast region to take up sports professionally, saying that in today’s world, sports have emerged as a multi-billion-dollar global industry.
“New avenues like IPL, Pro Kabaddi League, Premier Badminton League, ISL, etc, have proved to be gargantuan revenue generators of the governing bodies like BCCI and others, including the players,” Dr Chai said, addressing the students and faculty members of the Laxmi Bai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in the institute’s multipurpose indoor hall here on Saturday.
“Development of sports throughout the country is one of the flagship programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and NE region is one the of special focus areas,” he said.
“Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu has initiated major reforms for overall development of sports in his state, and many more are in the pipeline,” he said.
Dr Chai visited the premier sports institution of the region to gather first-hand information about the quality of stadiums and scientific sports equipment it has, so that the same can be developed in his state.
Speaking on the importance and contribution of the LNIPE, Sports Authority of India Regional Director Dr Subash Basumatary shared with the minister his experiences in promoting sports across the region.
Associate professor Dr Sankar Joyti Basumatary said Dr Chai was the first sports minister from Arunachal Pradesh to visit the LNIPE, “and such visit and interaction with the students and faculties will greatly inspire the young sportspersons.”
Later, Dr Chai visited the institute’s field of play, in the company of Sports Authority of Arunachal Chairman Bamang Tago and Arunachal State Badminton Association joint secretary Penya Bagra.
Earlier, the minister and the SAA chairman visited the SAI regional office here, and its field of play, including the Sarusajai sports complex.
