TEZU, Aug 25: The 6th Dorjee Khandu Memorial State Badminton Championships-2018 got underway at the Kalikho Pul indoor badminton stadium here on Saturday.
Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Dr Mohesh Chai, who inaugurated the championship, called upon the youth of the state to opt for sports as a profession.
Dr Chai informed that the sports department and the Sports Authority of Arunachal have been collectively striving to promote sports and explore hidden sports talents, so that the sportspersons of the state can compete at national and international events and win glory for the state and country.
He appealed to parents, elders and all stakeholders to encourage youngsters in sports.
Dr Chai, who is also an MLA of the host district, extended his gratitude to the Arunachal State Badminton Association (ASBA) for granting permission to host the state’s major badminton in his district.
He informed that Lohit district is making its best effort to successfully conduct the tournament, and appealed to all the participants to bear with the organizer if any inconvenience is caused.
Dr Chai also disclosed that the ASBA is one of best performing state level registered sports associations recognized by the state government, and said the government would not provide any grants-in-aid to non-performing state level registered sports associations.
Earlier, ASBA secretary Bamang Tago recalled the contributions of former chief minister Dorjee Khandu in promoting and developing badminton in the state.
“Khandu was a visionary leader who, apart from initiating number of welfare programmes and making rapid infrastructural development, pioneered the promotion of badminton in the entire state,” Tago said.
Khandu had served the ASBA as its president from 2000 until his death in 2011.
Tago said the DK Memorial badminton championship is the ASBA’s major calendar event to carry forward the former chief minister’s mission and his dream for making Arunachal a badminton power.
The ASBA secretary informed that the family members of late Dorjee Khandu sponsored the tournament for four consecutive years from 2012 to 2016.
“Pursuant upon ASBA’s request, the state government has been extending grants -in-aid to ASBA to the tune of Rs 25 lakhs annually to conduct the state level event from last year,” he informed.
Tago also informed that many promising players have been produced through this tournament within a span of five years and spirit of badminton has captured the minds of the people in urban as well as rural areas.
The tournament has also become a badminton talent hunt event.
More than 300 players from 22 districts and the capital complex are taking part in the tournament.
MLAs Laisam Simai and Tsering Tashi also shared their views for promotion of sports and said the event would go a long way in motivating the players of the state in taking up sports sincerely.
The opening ceremony was attended by the DC, the SP, ASBA president Ratu Techi, HoDs, and sports lovers, informed organizing secretary Baplalum Chiba.
