ITANAGAR, Jun 24: The Sports Authority of Arunachal (SAA) accorded warm welcome to the medal winners and participants of the KIO national karate championship held at Balewadi stadium, Pune in Maharashtra from June 16-19 on their return to the State today.
Addressing the function held at the SAA conference hall, Chimpu here, SAA vice chairman Tana Sanjiv Tara said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Mama Natung is giving much importance to sports and youth development activities and several infrastructure projects are being taken up for promotion of games and sports in the State. Due to Covid-19 pandemic there was a fund crunch and some proposed activities could not be done smoothly, he said.
AKF judge Bulang Marik, who also attended the tournament, expressed happiness on the performance of our players in Maharashtra and said that if the players are given more support they can even do much better in future.
Arunachal Pradesh Amateur Karate-Do Association (APAKA) president Yarda Niki, vice president Yora John, general secretary John Bagang, coach and team manager among others shared their views and suggestion and appealed to the state government for providing support so as the players can attend several such national and international events in future.
The State team won six medals in all which comprised two each of gold, silver and bronze.
A 476-member team led by coach Dugi Teli and manager Boken Tatu took part in the national tournament and came back home today.
Earlier, the players and officials and others were given warm welcome at the Naharlagun (Borum) railway station by several well-wishers and sport lovers and family members.