The 6th edition of Dorjee Khandu Memorial State Badminton Championship-2018 got off to flying start here at Kalikho Pul Indoor Badminton Stadium in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday.
In all 310 participants from all the 22 districts of the State including Capital Complex are participating the state-level competition which would see matches being played in the U-13, U-15, U-17, U-19 and Open categories. Besides this, mixed doubles matches would also be contested in the open category.
Sports and Youth Affairs minister Dr Mohesh Chai who declared the tournament open as chief guest, in his address call upon the youths of the state to opt for “Sports” as a profession.
Taking opportunity, Chai informed that the Department of Sports as well as the Sports Authority of Arunachal has been collectively striving hard to promote Sports in rural as well as urban areas so as to pave ways for the budding youth to explore their hidden talents and enabling them to compete in national and international events so that they can to bring laurels for the state and country.
He further appealed to the parents, elders and all the stakeholders to encourage youngsters to take sports.
Chai, who is also the local MLA extended his gratitude to Arunachal State Badminton Association (ASBA) for giving Tezu and the Lohit District Badminton Association (LDBA) an opportunity to host the mega event.
Further welcoming to the participants, the MLA wished them success and appealed them to maintain sportsmanship sprit and discipline throughout to tournament.
Earlier, ASBA secretary, Bamang Tago while presenting the tournament reports recalled the contribution of former chief minister Late Dorjee Khandu who apart from initiating number of welfare programmes and making rapid infrastructural developments in the State also pioneered the promotion of badminton throughout the State.
MLAs Laisam Simai and Tsering Tashi also shared their views for promotion of sports while tournament organizing chairman, Badang Tayang welcomed the dignitaries, participants and technical officials.