LEKHI, Jul 27: The 6th State-Level Inter-School Basketball Tournament 2026, organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Basketball Association (APBA), concluded on a high note at the Khinia Sports Arena in Lekhi on Sunday after eight days of intense competition.
The tournament brought together more than 600 student-athletes from schools across Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing emerging basketball talent from across the state.
The tournament featured competitions in four categories—Senior Boys, Senior Girls, Junior Boys and Junior Girls.
In the Senior Boys category, Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan emerged champions, while Don Bosco, Jollang secured the runners-up position and Government Secondary School, RGU finished third.
Don Bosco, Jollang clinched the Senior Girls title, followed by Alphabet Girls Residential Public School as runners-up and Good Shepherd Public School in third place.
Vivekananda Residential Public School won the Junior Boys championship, with Lekhi Public School finishing runners-up and Model English School taking third place.
Don Bosco, Jollang completed a memorable double by winning the Junior Girls title. Joms High School finished runners-up, while Alphabet Girls Residential Public School secured third place.
Individual Award Winners
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Senior Boys: Dillu Sharma; Senior Girls: Eta Milli; Junior Boys: Talar Teli; Junior Girls: Eta Milli.
Highest Scorer: Senior Boys: Tadar Jeenam; Senior Girls: Nangram Abi; Junior Boys: Eta Mili; and Junior Girls: Talar Teli.
Best Defensive Player: Senior Boys: Biri Tassay; Senior Girls: Punam Yomdo; Junior Boys: Rigum; and Junior Girls: Messi Regia.
The closing ceremony was attended by Koloriang MLA Pani Taram as the chief guest. OSD to the Minister for Home, PHE & Water Supply and Interstate Border Affairs, Radhe Natung, attended as the guest of honour, while Assistant Director of Sports (Secondary Education), Takam Pate, was the special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, APBA president Donyi Eshi Ori and general secretary Dikto Kare thanked the participating schools, student-athletes, school authorities, officials and technical staff for contributing to the successful conduct of the tournament.
Reflecting on the event, Dikto Kare said the success of the championship was the result of the collective efforts of the association and its members. He, however, stressed that basketball in Arunachal Pradesh requires greater government support and improved sports infrastructure.
"Our youth possess tremendous talent. With enhanced support and proper facilities, basketball in Arunachal Pradesh can achieve new heights at the national and international levels," Kare said, urging the state government to invest more in the development of the sport.