Yingkiong: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday said that Arunachal Pradesh with its diverse and beautiful geographical landscape has all the required potential to become the adventure sports hub of the country.
“Arunachal is a land of rivers and tributaries making it perfect to host adventure sports events. Several events like J K tyre off-roading at Dambuk, Adventure@Mechuka, National Cycling event at Tawang, paragliding at Pappu valley, etc. are being run successfully across the state,” Khandu, who flagged off the 15th edition of National Rafting Championship at the Siang River here said.
While expressing happiness that Yingkiong had in 2010 hosted the 7th edition of National Rafting Championship, the chief minister also thanked the Adi community for their wholehearted support in conducting the event this year as well.
He further called upon the participants from outside the state to become the ambassadors of Arunachal and to spread words about the beauty of the state and the immense tourism potential it offers.
In all 15 teams from across the country are participating in the rafting championship including a team from Arunachal.
There are a total of four women teams, 6 mixed and the rest are men’s teams.
Among others, sports minister Mama Natung, health minister Alo Libang, MP Tapir Gao, MLA Zingnu Namchoom and World Rafting Federation president Danilo Barmaz from Italy and Indian Rafting Federation president Shaukat Shikand were present on the occasion.
Visit to Dambuk:
Earlier on the day Khandu visited the Anglo-Abor War Memorial in Dambuk and paid rich tributes to the Adi martyrs who died resisting British advance in the region in 1894.
It is said that local Adis fought a fierce battle at the place with invading British troops by erecting a fort of stones, remains of which exist till date.
Referring to the central government’s Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Khandu said it is the right time to remember and pay tributes to those who fought for the freedom of the country and for their land.
“I respect the people here for still preserving and protecting the remnants of the great Anglo Abor War of 1894,” he said.
To the request for a facelift to the war site that includes a museum. Khandu said that he would endorse the same to deputy chief minister Chowna Mein, who heads the committee currently working on listing and documenting the state’s history of freedom movement and martyrs.
As requested, he assured flood protection of the site, a proper museum infrastructure and a symbolic fort at the site. Earlier on Friday evening Khandu felicitated and gave away prizes to the winners of JK Tyre 4X4 Fury.
