ROING, 8 May: Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Mama Natung on Sunday took stock of the preparedness for the forthcoming 5th Hangpan Dada Memorial Trophy (HDMT) tournaments, to be held in Lower Dibang Valley district from 26 May to 4 June.
Natung also convened a meeting with local MLA Mutchu Mithi and officers of the district administration to discuss the progress of works, accommodation of participants, and other technical aspects.
Natung told reporters that his visit was to “ensure that all the facilities, from proper playground, accommodation and other logistics is being taken care of by the district administration.”
“The work is satisfactory and I believe the district administration and the locals will make the event most happening. I have also appealed to the DC to involve locals in various other works for a successful weeklong championship,” he said.
The minister suggested to the DA to “include activities to create more awareness on drug abuse with the theme ‘Drugs choro, khel mein jodo’.”
Earlier in the day, Natung inspected the progress of work for the indoor badminton hall here, and the under-construction outdoor stadium in Lohit HQ Tezu.
Mithi urged the minister to have a sports complex established in the district. He also appealed for de-reserving the forest of Kurunu Abango village area in the greater interest of the villagers.
DC Soumya Sourabh said that “every aspect, from accommodations, maintenance of ground, medical facilities, transportation of players and food, etc, is being looked into.”
“We are involving all line departments to make sure that best facilities are provided to the players. We are expecting a successful seven days’ programme in the district,” she added.
