ITANAGAR, Aug 29: Celebrating the National Sports Day here this morning at the state legislative convention hall, Chief Minister Pema Khandu distributed cash incentives worth ₹2.49 Crore to 411 sportspersons, including para-athletes who  brought glory to Arunachal at the state, national and international levels.
Over the years, the state government has extended ₹7.1 Crore to 940 athletes as part of its commitment to promote sports and empower youth in the state.
The Chief Minister’s Athlete Coaching & Empowerment Scheme (CMAces), formerly known as CM’s Meritorious Sportsperson Scholarship, was launched on the occasion. The scheme has been renamed to reflect its broader vision. 
“We aim not only to reward achievements but also providing coaching, training and holistic support to nurture champions of tomorrow,” Khandu said.
Paying rich tributes to hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand on whose birth anniversary the National Sports Day is celebrated, Khandu urged sportsperson to take inspiration from the legendary hockey player, who led the Indian team to three consecutive Olympic gold medals.
He attributed the recent good shows by Indian athletes in international events including the last Olympic Games to the central government’s planned focus on the sports sector. 
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the sports sector received a major boost through policies like Fit India Movement and Khelo India Mission resulting in success of our athletes internationally,” he said.
Khandu further said that due to continued efforts put in by the state government through the Sports Department, Sports Authority of Arunachal and Arunachal Olympic Association, athletes of the state have also shone in regional, national and international competitions.
He revealed that close to 1,100 medals have been won by the state’s sportspersons in Zonal, National and International Sports Events since 2016 and congratulated the winners.
He said that till date the state has established 58 Khelo India Centers, 19 multipurpose indoor halls, one synthetic athletic track and the 15,000 capacity Golden Jubilee Outdoor Stadium at Yupia while 4 new national-level stadiums, one state-of-the-art DK Badminton Academy spanning 20,700 square meters at Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy and 14 two-court badminton halls and 10 Futsal grounds are under various stages of implementation. 
“Moreover, the State Sports Academy at Miao will soon have its new and permanent complex and to encourage sportspersons, the state Sports Policy Pradesh ensures 5% reservation in recruitment in State Government jobs and 10% reservation in Police Department,” Khandu said.
Not to leave behind the para-athletes of the state, the Chief Minister suggested that a State Para Games be organized periodically in line with the State Games, which is held every two years.
Meanwhile, coaches of meritorious athletes were also felicitated on the occasion.
Also present were Dy CM Chowna Mein, Speaker Tesam Pongte, Dy Speaker Kardo Nyigyor, MP Tapir Gao, Minister Education Pasang D Sona, Minister Sports Kento Jini,  Advisor Zingnu Namchoom and others.

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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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