ITANAGAR, Aug 27: A delegation of the Adi Ba:né Kebang (ABK), along with representatives of the Adi Ba:né Kebang Youth Wing (ABKYW) and Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU), called on Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini, and submitted a memorandum pressing for the establishment of a Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre at Pasighat, East Siang district.
The delegation led by ABK president Tanon Tatak included Oson Taying, general secretary (acting), ABK; Oki Dai, president ABKYW; Anit Tamuk, general secretary, ABKYW; Tani Tapo, president AdiSU; and Dolen Saring, general secretary AdiSU, among others.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted Arunachal Pradesh's immense sporting potential and the need for modern, scientific and residential training facilities to nurture young sporting talent, particularly from the central and eastern regions of the State.
The memorandum pointed out that Pasighat, being one of the State's oldest towns and a major educational and institutional hub, enjoys strategic connectivity through the Pasighat Airport and NH-515. The availability of important public infrastructure, including the Pasighat Outdoor Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru College and Bakin Pertin General Hospital & Training Centre, further strengthens its suitability for a major sports training facility.
The delegation stated that the youth of the Central Zone and Siang belt have demonstrated considerable potential in disciplines such as athletics, archery, boxing, football, badminton, taekwondo and karate, but the absence of adequate scientific coaching, residential facilities and specialised infrastructure often compels promising athletes to migrate elsewhere for better opportunities.
According to the memorandum, the proposed SAI Training Centre would provide a structured ecosystem for identifying, training and nurturing young athletes while creating opportunities for local and regional sporting talent. The delegation also emphasised that the proposal would complement the objectives of initiatives such as Khelo India and the Act East Policy, while giving a significant boost to sports development in the border areas of the State.
The memorandum proposed a dedicated SAI Training Centre at Pasighat, requiring approximately 25–40 acres of land in and around the Pasighat jurisdiction, with an envisaged capacity of around 200–300 residential athletes.
The delegation maintained that establishment of an SAI Training Centre at Pasighat would be a landmark step towards creating a robust sporting ecosystem in the State and would provide a dedicated platform for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh to pursue excellence in sports and represent the State and the nation at the highest levels. (Courtesy Mingkeng Osik)