Our Correspondent
ITANAGAR: Stating that the tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh have many indigenous games and sports, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Sunday called for concerted efforts to popularise and promote such games and sports.
Attending the closing ceremony of first ever state level Tug of War championship along with Education Minister Taba Tedir at Nyokum Lapang Ground here, Mein said that the Tug of War, an indigenous game of India, no longer remained a game for amusement only, but it has become a globally popular game similar to other games of Indian origin like Hockey, Kho kho and Kabaddi.
He assured full support of the State Government in promoting individual as well as team indigenous games & sports of the state.
The championship was organized by the Arunachal Tug of War Association.
The deputy chief minister added that therhe are lot of opportunities for employment and professionalism in games and sports.
"Priority and platforms are being provided by the government for pursuing games and sports," Mein said and urged the youths of the State to avail such opportunities and train themselves properly and hone their skills and techniques to compete in the national and international events.
He exuded hope that the days would come when sportsman from the state would also participate in Commonwealth and Olympic Games and win medals for the state and the nation.
Tedir, who is also the president of Arunachal Olympic Association, said that the state has as many as 40 sport's associations registered under AOA and among them, Arunachal Tug of War Association is the youngest one.
He, however, exuded confidence on ATWA and said that it would uplift Tug of War to the expectations and made it a popular game across the state.
Tedir also assured to extend his full support from the AOA and asked ATWA to prepare a calendar of events for Tug of War.
While lauding the government for giving priority in games & sports, Tedir further requested the Deputy Chief Minister to provide certain fund annually for the Arunachal Olympic Association to carry out games and sports events smoothly.
On the Occasion, Tug Of War Federation of India President Hari Shanker Gupta, Arunachal Tug Of War Association President Nili Likha Kamin also spoke.
In the first ever state level championship, 38 teams from the 12 districts of the state participated for senior boys and girls, junior under 19 and open categories.
Gold medal for senior boys was won by Tawang, junior boys (under 19) by East Kameng, senior girls by Papumpare and mixed category by Papumpare district.
Among others, Chairman and Managing Director of Hydropwer Development Corporation Toko Onuj, Executive Engineer (Power) Phurpa Tsering and Treasurer, Tug of War Federation of India N K Chakravarty were also present.
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