ITANAGAR, 5 Sep: The Arunachal Golf Association (AGA) has decided to explore establishing a golf course in the state and to invite golf clubs owned or controlled by individuals, central agencies, PSUs and central paramilitary organisations based in Arunachal Pradesh to affiliate with the AGA.
The resolution was adopted during an executive body meeting of the association here on Friday.
During the meeting, the association discussed development of golf in Arunachal and a clear roadmap for representing the state at national and international events.
Achievements of golfers of the state at regional, national and international levels were also highlighted at the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, AOA secretary-general Bamang Tago said that AGA is the only apex golf body of the state recognised by the AOA, and that the state's apex sports body will protect and promote the rights of indigenous golfers of Arunachal.
Tago further observed that a few state-level sports associations are headed by persons who are not indigenous to Arunachal and who represent the state without being domiciled here.
"Their contribution to the development and security of the state and the nation is acknowledged. That contribution, however, does not entitle them to take away the rights and opportunities of indigenous sportspersons. If required, the AOA will identify such associations and deal with them in accordance with law and sports statutes," Tago said.
The AOA appealed to all unauthorised bodies to stop functioning in the name of Arunachal as state-level sports associations.
Citing International Olympic Charter Rule 41, Tago said nationality and domicile are mandatory to represent a country or state. He noted that the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 upholds the Olympic charter and the universal principles of good governance, requiring national sports bodies to align with those standards.
He also cited Rule 27.2 of the constitution of the Indian Olympic Association, which requires office-bearers to be residents of the state and to belong to affiliated state sports associations.
AGA secretary-general Bamang Buru said that, under the constitution of the AOA, only a permanent resident or domicile of Arunachal is eligible to be an office-bearer or to represent the state in any official capacity.
He said the AGA represented Arunachal at the Northeast Olympic Games in Shillong in 2022. The contingent comprised L Wanglat, Jarken Gamlin, M Panggin, Marto Ori and Khungam Manchey.
The team finished 4th among eight state contingents. Panggin won the individual best net, he said.
"In 2025, Captain Dr Lobsang Dondup, a naval officer, won the Patron-in-Chief Cup. On 17 April, Panggin won the IGU Senior Golf Team event. In July 2026, L Wanglat finished runner-up in the 70 & above category at the Centara World Amateur Championship in Hua Hin - a four-day tournament with 436 players, and Asia's largest golf event. But the state is yet to convert this talent into a structured golf ecosystem," Buru said.
The meeting, chaired by AGA president Wanglat Lowangcha, was attended also by its vice president Jarken Gamlin.
