Chowkham, Jul 29: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed Mini Football Stadium at Chowkham in Namsai district, reaffirming the Arunachal Pradesh government's commitment to reviving football and strengthening sports infrastructure across the state.
The stadium, funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and executed by the Rural Works Department (RWD), features an artificial turf football field and spectator facilities aimed at promoting grassroots football and providing quality training infrastructure for young sportspersons.
Addressing the gathering, Mein described Chowkham as a region with a rich footballing legacy that has produced several distinguished players. He paid tribute to football stalwarts, including Late Chowjit Gohain Mein, who captained both the Town Club and the Assam Football Team and represented Assam in the All India Football Trials, and Late Indrajit Namchoom, among the state's earliest international footballers.
To restore the region's footballing heritage, the Deputy Chief Minister announced plans to establish a Football Training Centre in Chowkham. He said the proposal has already been shared with the district sports authorities and the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs. The proposed centre will provide professional coaching, accommodation and other essential facilities with support from NGOs and other stakeholders.
Mein said that with football stadiums coming up in Namsai, Wakro and Tezu, the region would be capable of hosting state and national-level football tournaments. He also approved a proposal for constructing a FIFA-specification hybrid turf football stadium at Wakro.
Stressing the importance of proper maintenance of sports infrastructure, he called for fencing around stadiums, deployment of chowkidars to safeguard public assets and installation of floodlights to facilitate evening training and sporting events.
He said investment in quality sports infrastructure was an investment in the aspirations of the youth and the future of Arunachal Pradesh.
Highlighting Chowkham's historical importance as a river port and trade centre, Mein also spoke about the region's tourism potential and ongoing efforts to promote tourism through initiatives such as the Buddhist Circuit. He urged the younger generation to preserve the region's cultural heritage while embracing entrepreneurship to strengthen the local economy and reduce dependence on middlemen.
Reiterating the government's commitment to inclusive development, he said sustained investments in sports, tourism and youth empowerment would play a vital role in building a stronger, healthier and more prosperous Arunachal Pradesh.
The programme was attended by MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Namsai Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC) Sujana Namchoom, Lohit ZPC Basanlu Dellang, Sports & Youth Affairs Secretary Abu Tayeng, Deputy Commissioner CR Khampa and Sports Director Tadar Apa, among others.