Itanagar: The first Sub-Junior State Ranking Badminton Tournament-2019, organised by the Arunachal State Badminton Association (ASBA), began in Itanagar on Friday. The tournament features children under 9, 11 and 13 years.
Addressing the participants as chief guest, Abraham K Techi, secretary general of the Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA), asked the children to continue the effort to shine in badminton. He said the AOA and the ASBA are dedicated to nourishing the talents of the children and have been providing high-tech facilities in the field of sports for many years.
“Nothing is impossible in this world. I hope by intense hard work and dedication you all will in years to come, represent the State at the national level and bring laurel to the State and your family,” he said.
ASBA secretary Bamang Tago told that more than 200 boys and girls registered for the tournament. “The children – 175 boys and 70 girls – were selected from across the State,” he said.
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He also said that the sub-junior tournament is one of eight major events under the ASBA. “This tournament, being the first in the state, is the base of future players as they will be provided training and facilities to represent the State for the nationals,” he added.
Tago thanked all the parents of the children for their immense support and faith in the sporting abilities of their wards. “The preliminary selection was started months ago in various districts. The participants here came through that selection process,” he said, adding that the final will be played on May 13.
Tago requested the sports academy and associations to provide basic training to the children at an early age so that they can be fully trained and strong at a later stage.
