Itanagar, Aug 8 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday said that the availability of quality sports infrastructure, coupled with the growing technical expertise of local players, was helping the state’s sporting talent realise its full potential.
The Chief Minister on Saturday declared open the five-day 13th Dorjee Khandu Memorial State Badminton Championship-2026 at the Khelo India indoor stadium here, announcing that the annual financial support for the prestigious championship will be increased from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh from this year.
Addressing the event, he noted that Arunachal Pradesh has made significant progress in sports over the past decade, particularly with the creation of better infrastructure and focused government support.
Khandu said Arunachal secured second position among Northeastern states in the National Games ranking in the latest edition and expressed confidence that the state would retain and further improve its position when Meghalaya hosts the 39th National Games in March next year.
The Chief Minister credited the focused national push for sports under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly through the Khelo India initiative, for helping bridge the infrastructure gap that had previously prevented talented athletes from showcasing their abilities.
Highlighting the state government’s flagship Chief Minister’s Sports Scholarship Scheme (CMSSS), Khandu said the programme, launched only last year, is currently supporting athletes across nine sports disciplines and around 30 athletes. He said the enhancement in financial support was aimed at further strengthening the state’s badminton ecosystem and providing young players with a bigger platform to compete and excel.
The Chief Minister also assured that the enhanced allocation of Rs 50 lakh would continue for subsequent editions of the championship.
The annual championship, organised by Arunachal State Badminton Association (ASBA) in memory of former Chief Minister late Dorjee Khandu, has completed 13 editions and has emerged as an important platform for young badminton players of Arunachal Pradesh to compete at the State level and progress to zonal, regional, national and international competitions.
Khandu thanked the ASBA and its veteran players for their sustained contribution towards popularising badminton across the State. He recalled that late Dorjee Khandu was deeply passionate about badminton and had played an important role in popularising the sport in Arunachal Pradesh. He noted that during his father’s time, Itanagar had only one badminton court, located below Raj Bhavan (now Lok Bhavan), where many of today’s senior players used to play as youngsters.
Highlighting the rapid expansion of sports infrastructure in the state, Khandu informed that a 20,700-square-metre plot of land donated by him near Sange Lhaden Sports Academy has been earmarked for the proposed Dorjee Khandu Badminton Academy. He said construction of the academy, comprising 20 badminton courts, is currently underway.
“Once the academy is completed, we will be able to host international-level badminton competitions here,” the Chief Minister said, describing the project as a major boost for badminton lovers and players of the State.
Khandu also pointed out that the ongoing championship itself is being hosted at a modern facility created under the Khelo India Scheme, with around five ready badminton courts at the Khelo India Indoor Stadium. In its first year, athletes supported under the scheme have collectively secured around 75 medals, including participation in 13 international competitions, he informed.
The Chief Minister specially congratulated para-badminton player Biri Takar for representing India at the international level and winning a Gold medal at the recently held Brazil Para Badminton International 2026, describing the achievement within the first year of CMSSS as a matter of pride for the State.
Khandu highlighted the growing pool of badminton talent from Arunachal Pradesh, naming players who have been making their presence felt at national and regional levels. He specifically mentioned Taku Manku and Samuel Tamang, who have featured among India’s top players in the Under-19 category, besides Divya Tagu, Kiyom Tamin and La Takum.
In the women’s category, he highlighted Pinky Karki, Taring Yana, La Yajum and others, noting that Taring Yana has been a five-time North East champion in the women’s doubles category. Calling grassroots development the key to building a sustainable sporting ecosystem, Khandu urged senior coaches and district-level badminton associations to focus on identifying and nurturing young talent from the grassroots.
“Talent is not lacking in Arunachal Pradesh. What we need is to identify that talent early, provide the right training and give our young players sustained opportunities,” he said. The Chief Minister said the government would continue to work closely with the Sports Department, the Arunachal Pradesh Olympic Association and various sports associations to strengthen the State’s sporting ecosystem.
Encouraging the participating players, Khandu said winning and losing were part of sport, but representing the State itself was a matter of pride. He urged the young players to give their best during the championship and, irrespective of the result, return stronger and more determined in the following edition.
The five-day State Badminton Championship-2026 has brought together 402 badminton players, including 95 girls from different districts of Arunachal Pradesh and is being organised as a platform to identify and promote emerging talent while commemorating the contribution of late Dorjee Khandu to the growth of badminton in the state.
During the five days, a total of 543 matches will be played under 28 events.
–IANS
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