ITANAGAR, Aug 7: In a bid to reinforce the structure of sports development and streamline administrative coordination across Arunachal Pradesh, a high-level consultative meeting was recently convened between the Sports Authority of Arunachal (SAA) and the Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA).
The meeting took place at the SAA Conference Hall in Chimpu and was chaired by Shri John Neelam, Chairman of the Sports Authority of Arunachal.
According to an official statement, the meeting was convened to deliberate on key initiatives and institutional reforms aimed at aligning the state’s sports activities with the Arunachal Pradesh State Sports Policy 2017.
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It also focused on enhancing collaboration between core sporting bodies and ensuring a structured approach to athlete development, infrastructure planning, and welfare mechanisms.
The consultative session brought together a broad spectrum of sports administrators and stakeholders. Attendees included Bengia Yayang Tadar, Vice-Chairman of the SAA; Gumnya Karbak, Director of the SAA; Bamang Tago, Secretary General of the AOA; Abharham K Techi, Senior Vice-President of the AOA; and Toko Teki, Vice-President of the AOA.
Executive Members of the Arunachal Olympic Association and senior officers and officials from the Sports Authority of Arunachal were also present during the proceedings.
In his opening remarks, Chairman John Neelam emphasised the need for a unified approach to sports governance, calling for enhanced synergy between the AOA and SAA to advance the state’s sporting aspirations.
He reiterated the importance of aligning ongoing and future programmes with the State Sports Policy to ensure consistency, transparency, and efficiency in the delivery of sports initiatives.
One of the central areas of discussion was the formulation and eventual implementation of the State Meritorious Athletes Welfare Act.
According to the official statement, participants collectively agreed on the urgency of this legislative initiative, which aims to provide comprehensive support systems for outstanding athletes.
The Act is expected to institutionalize welfare measures such as financial assistance, employment support, education provisions, and recognition frameworks for sportspersons who have brought laurels to the state.
The meeting also explored strategies for promoting grassroots sports development across districts, with a strong focus on nurturing talent from remote and tribal areas.
Delegates underlined the necessity of long-term planning for infrastructure development, while also calling attention to the pressing need for maintenance, modernisation, and equitable access to existing facilities.
Strengthening the role and functioning of State Sports Associations affiliated with the Arunachal Olympic Association formed another key part of the discussions.
Speaking on behalf of the Arunachal Olympic Association, Secretary General Bamang Tago welcomed the collaborative spirit of the meeting and expressed hope that such platforms would pave the way for integrated policymaking and programme execution.
He further urged all stakeholders to uphold transparency, accountability, and athlete-centric governance in every tier of sports administration.
The gathering also witnessed a free exchange of views and on-ground experiences shared by executive members of the AOA and officials from the SAA.
The discussions reflected a common commitment to building a sporting culture that is inclusive, progressive, and geared toward long-term excellence.
As per the official statement, all participants reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening institutional frameworks and working in tandem to create a sustainable and vibrant sports ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to hold regular consultative sessions going forward, thereby ensuring continuity in vision and execution.
The consultative meeting marks an important step in Arunachal Pradesh’s journey toward becoming a competitive sporting state, while also prioritising the welfare and recognition of its athletes and sporting communities at all levels.
