Football fever has gripped Pasighat of Arunachal Pradesh where 30 teams from across India will lock horns for the 15-day 25th Senior Women’s National Football Championship starting September 10.
Chief minister Pema Khandu and Speaker P D Sona will grace the occasion as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively while MoS Sports Kiren Rijiju and state sports minister Mama Natung will be special guests among other dignitaries on Tuesday.
Some 450 girl students from KGBV are set to perform a mega dance to enthral the audience in the opening ceremony.
East Siang deputy commissioner Kinny Singh, who is closely monitoring all developments has assured on Saturday that Pasighat is all set to host the national event in a befitting manner.
“We feel proud that we are organizing such a sports event of national importance in the centurion town Pasighat. I frequented the venues and found that both CHF and Pasighat Stadium are up to the mark to host the national tourney successfully,” she said.
Singh added that the organizing committee has ensured proper accommodation, sanitation and care of all the players and their associates who are coming from various states.
“Elaborate arrangements have been made for lodging, boarding and refreshment of the participating teams and their associates. We have also mobilised our volunteers to oversee the safety and comfort of all the participating teams,” she said.
Singh added that the departments concerned have been directed to ensure uninterrupted supply of power and water to the places where the team members and other guests will stay.
“This apart, as part of the event we will maintain strict vigil to ensure congestion-free traffic, safety, security, harmony and brotherhood. The opening day matches will be free for all and for the other days, soccer lovers have to pay nominal entry charge,” she said.
Kipa Ajay, Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Football Assocation said that the participating teams have been divided into eight groups.
Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Telangana are in group H. The inaugural match will be played between Railways and Mizoram. For the convenience of visitors/outsiders, temporary Inner Line Permit will be issued at the Ruksin gate near Pasighat.