Provide platform for youths to showcase their talents: Speaker to sports bodies

MECHUKA, Nov 8: State Assembly Speaker P D Sona on Friday called upon the District Olympic Associations especially that of Shi-Yomi district to provide platforms to the local youths to showcase their talents.

“There is no dearth of talent among the youths, but what they need is a stage and opportunity. I hope the newly formed Shi-Yomi District Olympic Association (SYDOA) would facilitate the same to the youths of the district,” Sona said while addressing the first general body meeting of the SYDOA here.

The Speaker suggested the SYDOA executive members to channelize the youths of district through games and sports, and at the same time, asked them to work in unison while taking suggestions from the senior members of the society. “Inculcate a sense of discipline and team spirit among yourselves and do not take hasty decisions at anytime,” he told them.

Further, while citing examples of sportspersons Joti Mane and Anu Komi, he added that games and sports will not only help one stay fit but also bring laurels to the district and State.

Joti is the first athlete from Arunachal Pradesh to win a gold medal in any national athletics championship while Anu has won several medals for the state in various national level karate championships.

Shi-Yomi Deputy Commissioner Mito Dirchi, who chaired the meeting, also suggested the new SYDOA team to work in an organized manner so that the local talents are given equal opportunity to perform.

SYDOA president Aling Pinggam informed that the association was formed to facilitate equal opportunities to the aspiring sportspersons and local talents of the district. He also informed that SYDOA though recently formed, is already affiliated to Olympic Association of Arunachal.

Earlier in the day, the Speaker visited the sub-divisional library here and took stock of the establishment. The library was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Gegong Apang in 1994.

Taking serious note of the dismal condition of the library, Sona, who is also the local legislator, said that library being the storehouse of knowledge should be properly maintained. He assured to look into the infrastructure needs of the establishment. He also assured to look into the book procurements.