Tawang, Mar 15: Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini on Saturday highlighted the immense potential for archery in the state, affirming that the government's Mission Olympic 2028 and 2032 aims to identify and nurture young sporting talent.
Inaugurating the first edition of the Dorjee Khandu Memorial district-level archery tournament in Tawang district, the minister stated that under the Mission Olympic initiative, six sports disciplines, Boxing, Taekwondo, Badminton, Weightlifting, Wushu, and Archery, have been earmarked for specialised training to groom athletes for future Olympic participation.
Expressing his delight at inaugurating the tournament, Jini emphasised that the event serves as a historic tribute to a visionary leader, according to an official communiqué.
He encouraged participants to remain dedicated and focused, viewing the tournament as the beginning of their journey towards higher-level competitions and the Olympics.
The minister further announced that the government has declared 2024-2025 as the ‘Year of Youth’ and introduced a youth policy aimed at empowering and developing young talent across various sports disciplines.
Speaking on the occasion, Lungla MLA Tsering Lhamu lauded the organisers for hosting the tournament in a world-class manner. She expressed her gratitude for the promotion of traditional games, stressing that archery is deeply rooted in Monpa culture, fostering discipline, sincerity, and mental focus.
Lhamu also paid tribute to her late husband, former MLA Jambey Tashi, who was a staunch advocate for archery. She acknowledged his significant contributions in establishing the first archery stadium and encouraging youth participation in the sport.
Urging young athletes to embrace Olympic-style archery, the MLA encouraged them to strive for excellence at national and international levels.
Chairman of the Tawang District Archery Association, Tashi Tsering, extended his gratitude to Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his family for their unwavering support in promoting archery and engaging youth in the sport.
A total of 30 teams are competing in traditional-style archery, divided into four pools. Additionally, three teams in the senior category and two teams in the junior category are vying in Olympic-style archery.
The tournament, sponsored by the family members of former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in his memory, is expected to boost interest in archery across the region, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and aspire for greater achievements.
The event concluded with vibrant cultural performances, marking a promising start to what is set to become an annual sporting tradition in the state.
Among those present on the occasion were Tawang deputy commissioner Kanki Darang, Tawang Brigade Commander Brig Bhupal Singh, superintendent of police Dr D W Thongon, and PWD chief engineer Doba Jini, along with other dignitaries.
