ITANAGAR, Oct 12: The first Kalikho Pul Memorial State Table Tennis Championship began at the MLA Cottage indoor hall, here on Friday.
Eighty-one paddlers from 12 districts (West Siang, Lower Subansiri, East Kameng, Papum Pare, Changlang, Lower Siang, Tirap, Lower Dibang Valley, East Siang, Lohit, Upper Subansiri), including the Capital Complex area and Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy are participating in the event.
Arunachal Olympic Association secretary general Abraham K Techi recalled the late chief minister’s contribution for promotion of games and sports in Arunachal Pradesh.
It was Pul, who approved the five percent job reservation for meritorious sportspersons in the state, said Abraham.
Stating that table tennis is amongst the most popular sports, he urged the Table Tennis Arunachal (TTA) to make coordinated efforts for promotion of the sport in the state.
In her brief speech, MLA Dasanglu Pul, wife of late Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, thanked TTA for organizing the tournament in her husband’s memory.
Later, AOA secretary general Abraham formally declared the championship open.
TTA senior vice president Penya Bagra and secretary general Pasang Dingla also spoke and sought everyone’s cooperation and help for promotion of the sport in Arunachal.
Sports Authority of Arunachal Director Gumnya Karbak and Joint Director (Department of Youth Affairs) Ramesh Linggi were also present on the occasion.
