ITANAGAR, Feb 3: In a first, a paralympic athlete from Arunachal Pradesh, Biri Takar is going to don India colours at the International Para Badminton Championship, scheduled to be held at Zabalgana in Spain from February 27 to March 6 next.
Takar is among the 42 athletes from the Indian Para Badminton team, who will be participating in the international event.
Informing this, the Paralympic Association of Arunachal added that Biri Takar has been selected by the Paralympics Committee of India to represent India at the International Para Badminton Championship in Spain.
On way to earn the ticket to Spain, Takar participated in the 4th National Para Badminton Championship 2021 at Bhubaneswar (Odisha) from 24th to 26th December 2021.
Currently, he is undergoing training at the front-ranked Pellela Gopichand Badminton Academy at Hyderabad (Telangana).
Speaking to this daily, Paralympic Association of Arunachal (PAA) general secretary Techi Sonu said that it is a proud moment that an athlete from own state is going to represent the country at an International Para Badminton event.
While appealing to the people of state to cheer for the athlete's success, Sonu also informed that the association is now facing an acute financial crisis for transportation.
“Our association doesn't have much fund to provide flight charges for Takar. Therefore, I appeal to Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Sports & Youth Affairs minister Mama Natung to help in the matter,” he said, adding that the boy has the potential to win the event.
He said, as per the schedule Takar has to reach New Delhi on February 23. Thereafter, he will be departing on February 25 to Spain along with the rest athlete and PCI official member.
As per the PCI, all the participants shall be participating at their own risk, responsibility and expenses without any recourse.
Born to Biri Tadek and Biri Nikia, Takar is basically from Rakso village in Kra-Daadi district and presently settled at Jollang, Itanagar. He graduated in BA Economics and presently pursuing MA Mass Communication in Rajiv Gandhi University.