Itanagar set to get 3 state-of-the-art sports academies

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh will soon get three state-of-the art sports academies to hone the sporting talents of the state, Union minister of state (Independent) for youth affairs and sports, Kiren Rijiju, said here on Saturday.
"To scout the sporting talents of the state and to equip them with adequate facilities and world-class training, we have decided to set up three sports academies in Itanagar. These academies will help to groom the youth so that they could participate in international sporting events," Rijiju said at a press conference here.
He added that one of these academies will focus only on martial arts, providing training for Judo, Karate, Taekwondo and Wushu.The other two centres will focus on weightlifting and boxing respectively, he said. He also sought the support of the state government in establishing these academies, saying that the Centre would provide all budgetary support including gap funding for the sporting infrastructure.
"The three academies will have intake capacities of 100 each with residential facilities and world-class coaches," Rijiju said. "There is no dearth of sporting talent in Arunachal. However, no player from the state has been able to participate in international sporting events. I have a dream that youths from the state would participate in events like Olympic and Asian Games. To turn that dream into reality, we must draw a roadmap. As the first step, we have decided to provide adequate sporting facilities," he added.
Rijiju, who arrived here in the morning accompanied by Union sports secretary Radheyshyam Julaniya, convened a review meeting with chief minister Pema Khandu, deputy chief minister Chowna Mein, sports minister Mama Natung and chief secretary Satya Gopal. The Union minister said that the Centre would extend all possible support for development of sports in the state and added that his ministry has also decided to provide astro turf to stadiums in every district in a phased manner.
"We are planning to set up at least 12 to 15 astro turf stadiums in the state in the next three years. However, the state government will decide the districts where the project will be implemented," the Union minister said, adding the ministry would start disbursing funds as soon as the proposals from the state government are received.
He added that for other games like archery and athletics, the ministry is also considering opening up academies in every district under the Khelo India programme. He also said that a North East Youth Festival will be held in the state this year.
"The ministry will go for all crucial funding wherever necessary to develop the sports sector in the state," Rijiju said adding, to hone the youths of the state, the ministry has proposed to organise a North East Youth Festival in the state within this year. "We must engage our youth otherwise with various activities otherwise will swayed away towards anti-social activities," he added.
He added that his ministry would also consider to provide fund for construction of youth hostels in the state.