Seppa, Aug 6: The 10th edition of the Dorjee Khandu Memorial State Badminton Tournament was declared open at the Officer's Club Badminton hall in Seppa on Sunday by Sports & Youth Affairs Minister, Mama Natung.
The East Kameng Badminton Association (EKBA) is organizing the tournament under the aegis of Arunachal State Badminton Association (ASBA). 
A total of 304 players are participating in the event including 70 women players who will be competing in men, women and junior categories. 29 teams representing  Kurung Kumey, Longding, Anjaw, Leparada, Lower Siang, Kamle, East Siang, Dibang valley, Changlang, Tirap, Shi Yomi, West Kameng, Tawang, Upper Subansiri, Rajiv Gandhi Sports Control board, Papumpare, Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy, Namsai, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit etc., are taking part in the championship.
The four-day long tournament will be played at the Officer's Club Badminton Hall and the newly inaugurated Ato Sopa Singhi Badminton Hall, Seppa.
Mama Natung while stressing the value of sports in nation building, advised the youth to refrain from drugs and join badminton. Sports is one of best careers one can opt in modern life and it also plays a medium for communal harmony, he said.
Stating that Arunachal Pradesh holds huge potential for sports, Natung said the present government has worked on improving the sports scenario in the state. "We have developed so many sports infrastructure now and will be doing more in days to come. These infrastructure will change the sports graph of the state, so our youth should enjoy the facilities," he said.
He also remembered late Dorjee Khandu who was known as 'people's chief minister' and said he was a generous man who has shown us a good path. 
"He is the modern architect of Arunachal Pradesh who brought several developmental activities. His generosity to reshape the future of state will be cherished forever. He was a great fan of badminton as well as a good player," Natung said.
The Sports Minister also announced to upgrade the existing Rupees 25 lakh funding to Rupees 75 lakh for smooth and effective running of the Dorjee Khandu Memorial State Badminton Championship.
In his address MLA Tapuk Taku urged all participants to play the game responsibly and with discipline.
The opening ceremony began with a cultural drama on relation of man and nature with a message to protect wildlife particularly birds. It also portrayed the value of 'Airgun Surrender Abhiyan' and urged people to support such iconic movement for nature conservation. 
East Kameng Badminton Association, EKBA President, Harang Sonam, Ealing Tallang President BJP East Kameng also spoke at the event.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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