YINGKIONG, OCT 9:

The Upper Siang district administration organised the Rangoli Traditional Sports Competition at the General Ground in Yingkiong on Friday under Seva Sankalp Utsav, aimed at preserving and promoting Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous sporting traditions.

The event was organised as part of initiatives to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public service and leadership, while encouraging younger generations to reconnect with their cultural heritage.

Young participants from Zilla Parishad constituencies under the 34-Tuting-Yingkiong and 40-Mariyang-Geku Assembly constituencies took part in traditional sporting events, including tug of war, bamboo archery, gulli danda (Tang Guti), bamboo pole climbing, Dali Haka Hinam and bamboo stick running.

Zilla Parishad Chairperson Api Kombo attended as the chief guest, while Everester Kishon Tekseng was the guest of honour.

Addressing the participants, Kombo encouraged them to uphold team spirit, discipline and sportsmanship, emphasising that such events foster unity among young people while promoting indigenous sporting practices.

Tekseng said traditional sports competitions offered an important opportunity to reconnect younger generations with indigenous games that were gradually fading from public memory. He stressed that reviving these traditions was essential to preserving the state’s cultural roots and passing them on to future generations.

Cash prizes were distributed to the winners by Kombo, Tekseng, Geku Zilla Parishad Member Katem Tateh, Jengging Zilla Parishad Member Orik Tali, District Information and Public Relations Officer Yalik Jerang and District Food and Civil Supplies Officer Naku Siram.

Assistant Commissioner-cum-District Sports Officer-in-charge Binti Mibang oversaw the conduct of the competition.

The event provided a platform for young participants to showcase their skills and celebrate the indigenous games and traditions of Arunachal Pradesh. (DIPR)