Arunachal athletes received a major boost on National Sports Day as Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini felicitated more than 102 athletes and coaches in Itanagar on August 29. The event recognised sporting achievements across the state and highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s position in the Northeast sporting landscape. A total of Rs 50 lakh was distributed among the awardees as cash incentives.
The National Sports Day programme also focused on the state’s growing sporting ambitions. Jini said Arunachal Pradesh has made significant progress and currently ranks second in the Northeast after Manipur in terms of sporting achievements. He expressed confidence that the state could soon emerge as the leading sporting state in the region.
Arunachal athletes recognised for sporting achievements
The felicitation programme provided a platform to honour athletes and coaches whose performances have brought recognition to Arunachal Pradesh at different levels. Jini, along with Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, felicitated more than 102 awardees during the event.
The Rs 50 lakh cash incentive distributed among the awardees was aimed at recognising their efforts and encouraging continued excellence. Such financial support can help sportspersons meet training, competition and equipment requirements while also motivating young athletes to pursue competitive sports.
Youth Affairs Secretary Abu Tayeng stressed the importance of sportsmanship during the programme. He said the government would continue supporting and recognising athletes and coaches whose performances have brought pride to the state.
Focus on women in sports
The National Sports Day celebrations also highlighted the importance of increasing women’s participation in sports. Renowned Arunachal mountaineer Kabak Yano encouraged more girls and women to take up sporting activities, particularly mountaineering.
Yano addressed concerns that outdoor sports could affect appearance and urged aspiring sportspersons not to allow such worries to discourage them. She emphasised that physical changes can be overcome, while the time invested in sports and the achievements gained through sporting careers have lasting value.
Her message added a wider dimension to the celebrations, placing emphasis not only on medals but also on participation, confidence and opportunities for women in competitive sports.
Arunachal athletes eye bigger national and international opportunities
The state’s sporting progress comes at a time when Arunachal Pradesh is gaining greater visibility in national and international competitions. Jini said two athletes from the state are set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games, describing their participation as a significant milestone.
The minister linked this development to the growing achievements of sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh across national and international competitions. He said the state has the potential to move ahead of Manipur and become the top sporting state in the Northeast.
The Asian Games participation is particularly significant because international representation can provide younger athletes with new role models and demonstrate the possibilities available through sustained training and competition.
National Sports Day promotes sporting culture
National Sports Day is observed every year on August 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. The day is used across the country to celebrate sporting achievements and encourage greater participation in physical activity.
This year’s national celebrations also carried the message of making sports and fitness part of everyday life. The Union government promoted the nationwide “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein” initiative, encouraging young people and citizens to spend at least one hour in sports or physical activity.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the celebrations were complemented by youth-focused sporting and engagement programmes. Recent Khelo India activities in places such as Roing have brought young people together with sportspersons, coaches and youth icons, encouraging them to consider sports as a pathway for personal development and achievement.
The state has also been expanding its sports infrastructure and grassroots programmes. Government initiatives include Khelo India centres, indoor sports facilities and specialised training programmes designed to identify and develop talent across different disciplines.
The felicitation of more than 102 athletes and coaches therefore comes as part of a broader effort to build a stronger sporting ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh. With financial incentives, greater recognition and growing opportunities for national and international participation, the state is seeking to turn its sporting potential into sustained success. The latest National Sports Day event reinforced that ambition while celebrating the athletes and coaches already contributing to Arunachal Pradesh’s rise in sports.
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