ITANAGAR: The sports department in Arunachal Pradesh has officially adopted the decision of Chief Minister Pema Khandu of renaming the Chief Minister’s Trophy for Football and Volleyball (men’s and women’s) after martyr Hangpan Dada.
Khandu made this decision during the State Development Council (SDC) meeting convened under his chairmanship here on Tuesday.
The state-level trophy for football and volleyball, both in men and women categories, would henceforth be called as Hangpan Dada Memorial Trophy.
Havildar Dada, who died in Kupwara on May 27 this year after killing three terrorists, was awarded Ashok Chakra on the eve of Independence Day by President Pranab Mukherjee.
Dada, 36, hailed from Boduria village in Tirap district, was posted in the high mountainous region in North Kashmir since late last year.
The trophy, now renamed in his memory, had been launched at Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy at Chimpu in November 2013 by the then Chief Minister NabamTuki.
The Sports Department holds competitions for men and women from the block level.
The winners of block level competitions then compete in the district level, followed by state level competition.
Finals of the competitions coincide with statehood day celebrations every year.
The meeting was attended by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rajesh Tacho, Parliamentary Secretary Nyamar Karbak, Chairman and Sports Authority of Arunachal Gora Makik.
Other officials and dignitaries who attended the event and witnessed the decision were Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Dani Salu, Directors of Sports and Youth Affairs and other departmental officials, the release added. (PTI)
