Itanagar: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday announced that budgetary support will be accorded by the state government to promote and conduct games and sports events in the state.
“Sports and games shape the character of the youths besides keeping them away from vices like drug abuse. The state government, from its next budget, will keep sufficient funds for conduction of sports and games events across the state,” Khandu said.
The chief minister was addressing the closing ceremony of ‘Adi Sports Fest-2021’ at Pasighat in East Siang district.
Khandu appreciated the Youth Wing of the Adi Bane Kebang (ABK) for the ‘unique’ initiative.
“I congratulate the ABK Youth Wing for coming up with the concept of a sports festival and successfully conducting it in a grand manner,” he said.
Terming games and sports as an integral part of life, Khandu said all community based organizations, especially the youth wings, should follow what ABK has started in their own ways.
“We have immensely talented youths. We are committed to producing sportspersons who can compete at the top level and the sports department has been tasked to chalk out a roadmap,” he informed.
Khandu also lauded the theme for the sports festival – Say No To Drugs – and said sports has the potential to keep youths away from drugs.
Asserting that the state government is committed in its fight against drug abuse, Khandu, however, said that the government alone cannot fight against the vice and win it.
“Without active support and cooperation from all sections of the society, the government alone cannot win this war against drug abuse,” he observed and welcomed the ABK Youth Wing’s small but strong message against drug abuse through the theme of the festival.
Khandu also appreciated the Women’s Wing of ABK, which has been on the forefront of the war against drug abuse in Adi-inhabited areas.
“Today’s youths are tomorrow’s leaders who will run the state. We have to nurture them with care and show them a proper path away from vices like drug abuse,” he said.
Referring to deaddiction centers including the one at Pasighat, Khandu admitted the need to overhaul their infrastructure with proper facilities for inmates. He assured that infrastructure of these deaddiction centers will be improved at the earliest.
About 600 participants from across the Adi belt participated in the 1st ever Adi Sports Fest 2021’ that came to an end on Sunday.
The closing day witnessed the final of the football match between Shi-Yomi and East Siang and the Tug-of-War final between Mebo and Dambuk.
Meanwhile, Khandu informed that as a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Siang River Festival will be organized at Pasighat on 19 December in a grand manner. He said the monthly review meeting with all deputy commissioners will also be held at Pasighat and invitations have already been sent to them to attend the same.
Among others, Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao, health minister Alo Libang, legislators Zignu Namchoom, Kaling Moyong, Gum Tayeng, Lombo Tayeng, Ojing Tasing, Talem Taboh and Kanggong Taku were present on the occasion. CMMC
