AALO, 16 May: The 9th State-level Hangpan Dada Memorial Football and Volleyball Tournament (U-16 boys and girls) began here in West Siang district on Saturday.
The inaugural football match in the boys’ category was played between host West Siang and Shi-Yomi, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
A total of seven matches – four in the girls’ category, and three in the boys’ section – were played on the opening day.
West Kameng, Namsai and Upper Subansiri registered wins in the girls’ category.
West Kameng defeated Pakke-Kessang 8-0, while Namsai and Upper Subansiri beat their respective opponents Siang and Changlang by identical 2-1 margins.
The match played between Longding and Kra Daadi ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the boys’ category, Siang and Longding defeated East Siang and Dibang Valley, respectively, by an equal margin of 3-0 goals.
Teams from 28 districts, including the Itanagar Capital Region, are participating in the tournament, which will conclude on 25 May.
The matches are being conducted across four different venues.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini highlighted the importance and benefits of sports in shaping discipline, character, and career opportunities for young athletes. He also elaborated the state government’s policies for sports promotion, including job reservations for sportspersons and cash incentives for outstanding achievements in sports.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by MLA Topin Ete, Chasen Lowang Dada, wife of late Havildar Hangpan Dada, Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Akshat Kaushal, SP Kardak Riba, West Siang ZPC Nyali Bagra, and officials from the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs and the district administration.
The tournament, a flagship programme of the state government, is organised annually in memory of Havildar Hangpan Dada, the Ashoka Chakra awardee (posthumous) from Borduria village in Tirap district.
