HT Correspondent
ITANAGAR, Aug 11: Arunachal Pradesh will take a significant step onto the international winter sports stage this month, as three of its athletes have been selected to represent India at the prestigious Asian Curling Club Championship in Uiseong, South Korea.
According to an official statement, the trio — Limphu Nikhangju, Jummar Karbak, and Sonam Tsering — have earned their place in the national squad following their performance and dedication in the sport of curling, a discipline still relatively new to India but steadily gaining attention in the Northeast.
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The championship is scheduled from August 15 to 17, 2025, and will feature elite teams from seven countries: Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
In a proud and symbolic moment for the state, the athletes were formally flagged off by Gumnya Karbak, Director of the Sports Authority of Arunachal Pradesh (SAA), during a send-off ceremony that underscored the occasion’s importance.
The event, attended by members of the Arunachal Pradesh Curling Association and local sports officials, celebrated the athletes’ achievement while also highlighting the state’s growing engagement in winter sports.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director Karbak commended the dedication and hard work of the players, noting that their participation on such a prestigious platform is a source of inspiration for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh.
“They are not just competing for medals; they are ambassadors for our state and role models for aspiring athletes, especially in sports that are still emerging in our country,” he said.
Riba Pangia Dolo, President of the Arunachal Pradesh Curling Association, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the athletes’ selection reflects the state’s potential in winter sports disciplines.
He expressed optimism that their performance in South Korea would not only boost curling’s visibility in the region but also encourage greater investment in training facilities and grassroots promotion.
The Asian Curling Club Championship is expected to be an intense contest of skill, precision, and strategy, with top-level teams competing for continental honours.
For the three Arunachal players, the tournament offers a rare opportunity to test themselves against some of Asia’s finest while carrying the Indian flag in a sport where the country is still carving out its identity.
According to the official statement, the Sports Authority of Arunachal Pradesh and the Curling Association have extended full support to the team, ensuring they are equipped for the challenges ahead.
The state’s sporting community and residents alike are rallying behind the trio, eager to see them make their mark on the Asian stage and bring home laurels.
As the countdown to the championship begins, the journey of Limphu Nikhangju, Jummar Karbak, and Sonam Tsering stands as a testament to the potential of Arunachal’s youth, the value of perseverance, and the promise of a new sporting frontier for the state.
