Arunachal Pradesh PHE and water supply minister Wangki Lowang on Sunday declared open the 1st edition of Pasang Wangchuk Sona Football & Volleyball Tournament at Tato near Mechuka.
The event was also attended by State Legislative Assembly Speaker PD Sona and Shi-Yomi deputy commissioner Mito Dirchi.
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The tournament is being organized by the Shi-Yomi District Students’ Union (SYDSU) to honour late Pasang Wangchuk Sona, former minister and legislator of 33rd Mechukha Assembly Constituency which is now represented by his son.
Late Sona was one of the first generation politicians and social workers of the state.
He was elected to the State Assembly in 1980 from 33rd Mechukha Assembly Constituency and served as the third deputy speaker of the State Legislative Assembly from January 29, 1980 to January 2, 1985.
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Late Sona also served as the deputy chairman of State Planning Board from 1992 to 1995.
He was inducted into the state cabinet in 1995 and served as the minister of mines & minerals and cooperation and food & civil supplies respectively 1995 to 1999.
He was instrumental in bringing socio-economic development in the erstwhile Mechukha sub-division, now Shi-Yomi district during his tenure as the MLA.
Speaking on the occasion, Lowang lauded the organizing committee for honouring their beloved leader through such an event.
“Everyone dies but we keep them alive in our memories. And it is commendable that you are organizing this sports tournament to honour your late beloved leader,” he said.
The minister suggested the organising committee to also identify other hidden talents of the local youths and help them nurture it.
“Some are good at singing while some are good at fine arts and other fields. One should be able to identify their talents and pursue a career on the same,” he said.
Describing Shi-Yomi district as mini Arunachal where five different communities live peacefully together, the minister called upon its residents to work together for the welfare of the newly created district.
Lowang said he being the PHE & Water Supply minister, his priority is to provide clean drinking water to each and every household of the state.
He, however, called upon the people to save water and suggested them to avoid destruction of forests, especially in the catchment areas.
Earlier, Sona, while welcoming the minister and other dignitaries, expressed his gratitude to the organizing committee for honouring his late father through the tournament.
Highlighting the objective of the tournament, Sona said there are several talented youths in the district and the tournament would provide them a platform to showcase their latent.
He said in order to provide more opportunities to the youths of the district at the state or higher level, more such events would be organized in the days to come.
Meanwhile, the opening match of the tournament was played between All Memba Students’ Union and Ruto Aao FC where the latter thrashed the former by 3 goals to 1.