Modern multi-purpose indoor stadium, Olympic Bhavan in Itanagar: Khandu

Itanagar, Dec 17 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday announced setting up of a modern multi-purpose indoor stadium, besides constructing an Olympic Bhavan here.

While declaring open the two-day 5th North East National Level Karate-do Championship at NyokumLapang General Ground, Khandu urged the Sports Department to identify a suitable site for the stadium.

"Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has promised a multi-purpose indoor stadium. We need to identify a suitable plot immediately and pursue with the ministry," Khandu said.

Reiterating his government's commitment to develop the sports sector, he also promised to construct an Olympic Bhavan in Itanagar for visiting sportspersons and officials.

Ten teams from the region would be vying against each other in this edition of the championship.

The teams include from Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, besides a team each from Arunachal Pradesh Police Sports Control Board, Assam Riffles and Darjeeling Gorkha Karate Association.

Lauding the unity and coordination amongst the region's state level Karate associations in projecting the Northeast as a hub of promising and talented karate players, Khandu said due to pioneers like Likha Tara, who heads the joint organization of all North Eastern Karate associations, the martial art has emerged as a sport that the states from the region excel in.

"Our youths - particularly from Arunachal Pradesh, have carved a niche not only in regional and national levels but also in international tournaments," he said.

Khandu said the central government is giving special focus in developing sports infrastructure in the region and the laying of foundation stone for a National Sports University during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Manipur is just one example.