Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh – Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on February 12 officially flagged off the second edition of the Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship at the scenic Tawangchu River, drawing over 100 athletes from India and abroad. The high-altitude event showcased the state’s growing prominence in adventure sports and highlighted its potential as a global kayaking destination.
In his address, Khandu welcomed participants and lauded the Arunachal Olympic Association, Arunachal Kayaking & Canoeing Association (AKCA), and Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association (IKCA) for organising the championship, along with supporting partners. He singled out Bilquis Mir, India’s first female Olympic jury member in kayaking and canoeing, describing her presence as inspirational for young athletes. “Her journey is a beacon of hope and determination for our youth. Events like this will produce future Olympians from our state and country,” he said.
The Chief Minister underscored Arunachal Pradesh’s natural rivers as ideal for kayaking and canoeing. He referred to AKCA’s proposal to develop five river basins as training hubs, noting that a memorandum has been submitted and the state government, in collaboration with technical experts and IKCA, would set up additional centres to nurture talent. Highlighting the state’s rapid sporting transformation, Khandu remarked that Arunachal Pradesh, once among the lowest-ranked states nationally, now stands second in the Northeast after Manipur according to the 38th National Games rankings. He expressed optimism for further improvement in the upcoming 39th National Games.
Khandu attributed the state’s sporting achievements to sustained investments in youth development, sports policy, and infrastructure, pointing out that Arunachal Pradesh has won over 1,000 medals at national and international events in the past decade. He praised progress in disciplines such as taekwondo, boxing, weightlifting, judo, and wushu, highlighting a state athlete’s top Asian ranking in wushu. He congratulated kayaking athlete Devi Dada for winning bronze in the Kayak Cross event at the 38th National Games and emphasized that the state’s landscapes offer ideal conditions for adventure sports. The Chief Minister cited the Mechukha Adventure Festival as a successful example, attracting participants from across India and abroad.
Announcing that the state government has officially begun funding the Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship, Khandu confirmed that the event will now be held annually under the Youth Affairs and Sports Department. He added that efforts will continue to expand the championship through corporate sponsorships and CSR partnerships, stressing that such international events will boost tourism, stimulate local economies, and position Tawang as a global adventure sports destination.
The championship received support from the Indian Army, Sashastra Seema Bal, NGO Yuva Arunachal, the district administration, and the Tawang Kayaking & Canoeing Association. Key dignitaries in attendance included Cabinet Minister Kento Jini, district MLAs, Race Director Charanjiv Singh, and AKCA President Dr Joram Aniya.
