Football Tournament in Arunachal Pradesh

 

Football in Arunachal Pradesh is often organized by existing football tournaments that bring the team together from different regions. These tournaments are a great way to showcase local talent on the big field and promote the love for football in the states. These tournaments not only provide a platform for players to showcase their skills but also promote a sense of unity and sportsmanship among the participants and onlookers. The matches are often extreme and depict large crowds, creating a vibrant and exciting environment. It is the amazing way to experience the passion and enthusiasm for football in Arunachal Pradesh. 

The 20th of February marks the statehood day for two northeastern states, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. While Mizoram has over the years developed into a footballing factory for the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League clubs, Arunachal Pradesh seems to have fallen by the wayside. In fact, they are still one of the three states in the region that do not have any representation in the top divisions of Indian club football, Nagaland and Tripura being the other two. It is quite ironic then that back in the 60s, it was an Arunachali who put the north east back on to the footballing map of India, following on from others like Talimeren Ao. Often addressed as the ‘pathfinder of sports’ in Arunachal, this is the story of Chow Indrajit Namchoom.

 

 

Born in 1942 at a time when the entire country was in the midst of the independence struggle, Namchoom’s childhood was anything but easy. He went to study in Guwahati, and later he joined the prestigious Cotton College, which is where he found his calling, football. During his three-year stay there, he was a regular for the college team and participated in almost every local tournament. A natural athlete on the pitch, Namchoom was one of the stars in the side, and it was a foregone conclusion that he had a bright future in the game. This eventually culminated in him playing in the Santosh Trophy, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the country back then, which continues to be an important launchpad for youngsters even today.

The ‘Football for School’ program, a first-of-its-kind initiative, will aim to groom budding talents in the age group of 6 to 13, the Arunachal Pradesh government said. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between FIFA and the Union Education Ministry to promote football among children, Tedir said.

 

 

Schools having playground and physical education teachers will be selected for the initiative. The government will also see that schools having more than 50 to 100 children in the prescribed age group are given preference.” The Union Education Ministry and FIFA would provide support for the program.

 

All India Football Federation (AIFF) Treasurer Kipa Ajay said Arunachal Pradesh will be the first state in the country to have such a program. The initiative would help popularize football in the state, he hoped. 

 

Football tournaments have had a positive impact on Arunachal Pradesh in several ways: 

 

• Promoting Football 

Football is the most popular sport in Arunachal Pradesh, and its tournaments promote the players of the region to play at national and international level. The tournament helps grow the game of football in Arunachal Pradesh and gives the players the chance to showcase their talent and skills. 

Arunachal Pradesh hosted the 77th edition of the Santosh Trophy National Football Championship, a historic first for a Northeastern state. There is a great contribution of Arunachal Pradesh in the North East Football Championship.

Football tournaments help in identifying talented football players who can go on to represent India in football competitions at the international level. Organizing a football tournament in Arunachal Pradesh is an amazing way to find or collect talented players in the region to greatly represent their state.

Football clubs and domestic leagues can help young players to improve their skills. The state has also invested in new sports infrastructure, including badminton halls and a multipurpose hall.

The Arunachal Pradesh also has representatives from eight northeastern states who participate in meetings to discuss how to grow football in the region. Arunachal Pradesh represents the North East region; one significant event is the “Tawang Festival Football Tournaments,” which shows the rich cultural heritage of the region.

 

The Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA) is the state governing body of football in Arunachal Pradesh, in northeast India. It is affiliated with the All India Football Federation, the national governing body. APFA runs the Arunachal Super League, the top-tier league of the state. It sends state teams for the Santosh Trophy and the Senior Women’s National Football Championship.

Football in Arunachal Pradesh plays a very important role in promoting sports in the region. This tournament helped to discover inspiring young players. It brought people together, promoting unity and social bonding. It also encouraged youth to adopt a healthy and active tradition.

 

There is a positive impact of the football tournament that boosted the local economy through tourism and sponsorship. It encourages youth participation and community engagement, supports teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship among the players, and provided a platform for exploring talent and development.