ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday inaugurated the five-day 13th Dorjee Khandu Memorial State Badminton Championship-2026 at the Khelo India Indoor Stadium here, announcing that the annual financial support for the championship would be doubled from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh from this year.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Khandu said the enhanced support was aimed at strengthening the State’s badminton ecosystem and providing young players with greater opportunities to compete and excel. He assured that the Rs 50-lakh allocation would continue for subsequent editions of the championship.
Organised by the Arunachal State Badminton Association (ASBA) in memory of former Chief Minister Late Dorjee Khandu, the championship has completed 13 editions and emerged as an important platform for young players to progress from State-level competitions to zonal, regional, national and international events.
Khandu thanked the ASBA and its veteran players for their sustained efforts in popularising badminton across the State. Recalling Late Dorjee Khandu’s passion for the sport, he said Itanagar had only one badminton court during his father’s tenure, located below the Raj Bhavan, now Lok Bhavan.
Highlighting the expansion of sports infrastructure, Khandu said a 20,700-square-metre plot near the Sange Lhaden Sports Academy had been earmarked for the proposed Dorjee Khandu Badminton Academy. Construction of the facility, which will have 20 badminton courts, is underway.
“Once the academy is completed, we will be able to host international-level badminton competitions here,” Khandu said, describing the project as a major boost for badminton players and enthusiasts in the State.
He noted that the ongoing championship was being hosted at the Khelo India Indoor Stadium, a modern facility developed under the Khelo India Scheme, which has around five badminton courts. He said improved infrastructure and growing technical expertise were enabling Arunachal’s sporting talent to realise its potential.
Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh had made significant progress in sports over the past decade and secured second position among the North Eastern States in the latest National Games ranking. He expressed confidence that the State would retain and improve its position when Meghalaya hosts the next National Games.
Crediting the national push for sports under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly through the Khelo India initiative, Khandu said improved infrastructure had helped bridge the gap that previously prevented talented athletes from showcasing their abilities.
He also highlighted the Chief Minister’s Sports Scholarship Scheme (CMSSS), launched last year, which currently supports around 30 athletes across nine disciplines. In its first year, athletes covered under the scheme collectively secured around 75 medals, including in 13 international competitions, he said.
Khandu congratulated para-badminton player Biri Takar for representing India internationally and winning a gold medal at the Brazil Para Badminton International 2026. He described the achievement in the first year of the CMSSS as a matter of pride for the State.
Highlighting Arunachal’s growing pool of badminton talent, Khandu mentioned Taku Manku, Samuel Tamang, Divya Tagu, Kiyom Tamin and La Takum among players making their mark at national and regional levels. In the women’s category, he named Pinky Karki, Taring Yana and La Yajum, noting that Taring Yana is a five-time North East champion in women’s doubles.
Calling grassroots development crucial to building a sustainable sporting ecosystem, Khandu urged senior coaches and district-level badminton associations to identify and nurture talent from an early stage.
“Talent is not lacking in Arunachal Pradesh. What we need is to identify that talent early, provide the right training and give our young players sustained opportunities,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government would continue to work with the Sports Department, Arunachal Pradesh Olympic Association and various sports associations to strengthen the State’s sporting ecosystem.
Encouraging the participating players, Khandu said winning and losing were part of sport, while representing the State itself was a matter of pride. He urged the players to give their best and return stronger and more determined in subsequent editions, irrespective of the outcome.
The five-day championship has brought together 402 players, including 95 girls, from different districts of Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 543 matches will be played across 28 events during the championship, which also seeks to identify and promote emerging badminton talent while commemorating Late Dorjee Khandu’s contribution to the sport in the State.
