AAPSU demands overhaul of Arunachal’s sports ecosystem, gives 10-day ultimatum

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has issued a sharp call for immediate reforms in the state's sports ecosystem, flagging serious lapses in administration, infrastructure, and transparency. 

In a strongly worded memorandum submitted to the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, the Union has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the government to act—failing which it has threatened democratic agitation.

The memorandum, signed by AAPSU Games & Sports Secretary, outlines a series of persistent issues undermining sports development across Arunachal Pradesh. The Union said that despite the passion and potential of the youth, the current sports structure is collapsing due to poor management and lack of proper personnel.

One of the major concerns raised is the absence of regular District Sports Officers (DSOs) in many districts. AAPSU noted that several posts are either vacant or held by in-charge officials, severely hampering sports administration and grassroots development. The Union demanded immediate recruitment of full-time DSOs through the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) to ensure merit-based appointments and accountability.

The state-run Sange Laden Sports Academy at Chimpu also came under sharp criticism. AAPSU described the academy as being plagued by mismanagement and underutilization. It said many disciplines currently have no regular coaches, compromising athlete development. Hostel facilities are operating without full-time wardens, posing serious risks to the safety and welfare of student-athletes. The Union further criticised the current policy of admitting only two students per district, calling it restrictive and unfair, and demanded that the intake be raised to at least five students per district to foster broader participation.

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Concerns were also raised regarding financial opacity. AAPSU demanded that the government publish a comprehensive report detailing the funds released so far to the academy and their usage, including on infrastructure, coaching salaries, and equipment procurement. The Union also called for the long-delayed establishment of the Sange Laden Sports Academy at Miao in Changlang district to be fast-tracked, noting that the delay is depriving youth in the Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (TCL) region of critical sporting opportunities.

Raising broader questions of governance, the Union pointed out that there is widespread dissatisfaction over how the sports funds are being handled and how commitments made at the state level are not being followed through. It reiterated that the government must act swiftly and in a spirit of commitment towards youth empowerment.

If the state government fails to respond within 10 days of the memorandum's submission, AAPSU warned it will launch democratic and constitutionally guaranteed means of protest. The Union said the government would be solely responsible for any consequences arising from such action.

The strongly-worded statement from AAPSU has now drawn attention from sports enthusiasts, civil society groups, and young athletes across Arunachal Pradesh, who have long been demanding better sports infrastructure and transparent governance.