[ Mingkeng Osik ]
ITANAGAR, 27 Aug: A delegation of the Adi Ba:né Kebang (ABK), along with representatives of the Adi Ba:né Kebang Youth Wing (ABKYW) and Adi Students' Union (AdiSU), called on Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini and submitted a memorandum seeking the establishment of a Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Pasighat in East Siang district.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the immense sporting potential of Arunachal Pradesh and the need for modern, scientific and residential training facilities to nurture young sporting talent, particularly from the central and eastern regions of the state.
The memorandum pointed out that Pasighat, being one of the oldest towns and a major educational and institutional hub of the state, enjoys strategic connectivity through the Pasighat airport and NH515.
"The availability of important public infrastructure, including the Pasighat outdoor stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru College and district general hospital, further strengthens its suitability for a major sports training facility," it said.
The delegation stated that the youth of the central zone and Siang belt have demonstrated considerable potential in disciplines such as athletics, archery, boxing, football, badminton, taekwondo and karate, but the absence of adequate scientific coaching, residential facilities and specialised infrastructure often compels promising athletes to migrate elsewhere in search of better opportunities.
The proposed SAI training centre, according to the memorandum, would provide a structured ecosystem for identifying, training and nurturing young athletes while creating opportunities for local and regional sporting talent. The delegation also emphasised that the proposal would complement the objectives of initiatives such as Khelo India and the Act East Policy, while giving a significant boost to sports development in the border areas of the state.
The memorandum proposed a dedicated SAI training centre in Pasighat, requiring approximately 25-40 acres of land in and around the Pasighat jurisdiction, "with an envisaged capacity of around 200-300 residential athletes."
The delegation also apprised the minister of the existing state-run sports academies, including the Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy (SLSA), Chimpu, and the State Sports Academy in Miao (Changlang), and underlined the need for a similar high-quality sports training institution in the eastern part of Arunachal.
The ABK delegation expressed hope that the Sports & Youth Affairs Department would accord due consideration to the proposal and initiate necessary steps for taking up the matter with the Sports Authority of India and the Government of India.
The delegation said that establishment of a SAI training centre in Pasighat would be a landmark step towards creating a robust sporting ecosystem in the state and would provide a dedicated platform for the youth of Arunachal to pursue excellence in sports and represent the state and the nation at the highest levels.
The delegation, led by ABK president Tanon Tatak, comprised ABK general secretary (acting) Oson Taying, ABK games and sports secretary Jote Mingki, ABKYW president Oki Dai and general secretary Anit Tamuk, AdiSU president Tani Tapo and general secretary Dolen Saring, and Kalen Tadeng of the AdiSU.
