Arunachal CM Pema Khandu distributes ₹2.49 crore to 411 athletes on National Sports Day

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today marked National Sports Day at the State Legislative Convention Hall here by distributing Rs 2.49 crore in cash incentives to 411 sportspersons, including para-athletes, who have brought laurels to Arunachal Pradesh at the state, national, and international levels.

Since its inception, the state government has extended nearly Rs 7.1 crore to 940 athletes, reaffirming its sustained commitment to promoting sports and empowering youth across the state.

On the occasion, Khandu launched the Chief Minister’s Athlete Coaching & Empowerment Scheme (CMAces), formerly known as the CM’s Meritorious Sportsperson Scholarship. The scheme has been renamed to reflect its broader vision. “We aim not only to reward achievements but also to provide coaching, training, and holistic support to nurture the champions of tomorrow,” he said.

Paying rich tributes to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, on whose birth anniversary the day is celebrated, the Chief Minister urged sportspersons to draw inspiration from the three-time Olympic gold medallist. He credited the recent successes of Indian athletes on the global stage, including at the Olympic Games, to the central government’s policies like the Fit India Movement and Khelo India Mission, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Highlighting the state’s sporting achievements, Khandu revealed that since 2016, Arunachal sportspersons have won close to 1,100 medals at zonal, national, and international events. He congratulated the winners and assured continued government support.

Further detailing the state’s investment in sports infrastructure, the Chief Minister stated that to date, the state has established 58 Khelo India Centres, 19 multipurpose indoor halls, one synthetic athletic track, and the 15,000-capacity Golden Jubilee Outdoor Stadium at Yupia. In addition, four new national-level stadiums, the state-of-the-art DK Badminton Academy (spanning 20,700 sq mtr) at Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy, 14 two-court badminton halls, and 10 futsal grounds are under development.

He also announced that the State Sports Academy at Miao will soon get its permanent complex and emphasised the 5 percent reservation in state government jobs and 10 percent in the Police Department for sportspersons under the State Sports Policy.

To further boost inclusivity, the Chief Minister suggested organising a State Para Games periodically, in line with the biennial State Games.

Coaches of meritorious athletes were also felicitated on the occasion.

The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Speaker Tesam Pongte, Deputy Speaker Kardo Nyigyor, MP Tapir Gao, Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, Sports Minister Kento Jini, Advisor Zingnu Namchoom, and several dignitaries.