Comprehensive plan to develop sports infrastructure: DyCM

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has said that a comprehensive plan must be formulated to develop sports infrastructure in the state so that sports gain momentum and achieve new greater heights in days to come.

Felicitating the medal winners of the First North East Olympic Games here Wednesday Mein congratulated them and urged them to remain focused to achieve even greater heights, an official release said here Thursday.

Arunachal Pradesh registered its best-ever medal haul to finish third in ranking after Manipur and Assam with 18 Gold, 22 Silver and 39 Bronze.

Altogether 182 players participated and took part in the 12 discipline of sports in the NE Olympic Games which was held at Imphal from October 24 to 28 last.

"It is a matter of great satisfaction that we are celebrating the success of our medal winners who have brought laurels to the state by proving their mettle in first Northeast Olympic Games held in Manipur," he said adding that sports have been given priority by the state government for its overall development.

The deputy chief minister further said that concerted efforts and focus on the development of sports infrastructure and facilities to promote talents from the block level must be given a fillip for more sports and athletic activities in the state.

"There is no dearth of talents in our state," he said and hoped that players of the state achieve new heights with each passing day and added that sportsperson is doing well at national and international level.

Mein also complimented the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Shangey Lhaden Sports Academy School and the coaches of the medal winners for their contribution in raising and grooming the state players to represent in the national and international stage.

The deputy chief minister called upon the Arunachal Sports Authority, Arunachal Olympic Association and the department of sports and youth affairs to come up with a proposal and future plan for the development of the sports activities in the state.

Congratulating Abraham K Techi for his appointment as the secretary general of the Northeast Olympic Association, Mein hoped that under him sports activities will reach a new height in the days to come.

He asked the department of sports and youth affairs to call for a meeting with Arunachal Sports Authority, Arunachal Olympic Association and all other sports organisation of the state to chalk out plans and programme and to prepare a roadmap for the successful conduct of the North East Olympic Games 2020 to be held in Arunachal Pradesh, the release added.