Asian Games 2023: Arunachal Pradesh CM announces cash reward for three Wushu athletes who were denied Chinese visa

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday assured that the three Wushu players of the state, who could not participate in the Asian Games at Hangzhou in China, will be treated as participants of the Indian Wushu team and given Rs 20 lakh incentive as per the state’s sports policy. The three players could not participate in the sporting event due to denial of visa by the neighbouring country. The three Wushu players — Onilu Tega, Nyeman Wangsu and Mepung Lamgu — along with Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mama Natung, their coach Maibam Premchandra Singh, sports secretary Abu Tayeng, officials of the Arunachal Olympic Association and Arunachal Wushu Association had called on Khandu at his office, a CMO communiqué said. Stating that the three athletes were the first from Arunachal Pradesh to qualify for the Asian Games but had to miss the prestigious event for no fault of theirs, Khandu said they will receive the cash incentive of Rs 20 lakh each in accordance with the state’s sports policy for an athlete participating in the Asian Games. He also said coach Maibam Premchandra Singh would also receive his share of 10 per cent of the incentives awarded to the athletes. Interacting with the young Wushu players, Khandu encouraged them to train harder and focus on the 2026 Asian Games scheduled to be held in Tokyo, Japan. “As true sportspersons, you are not supposed to get disheartened but prepare harder for the next tournament. You might have lost this chance to show your talent, but for us you are heroes and medal winners,” he said.

The three Wushu players from Arunachal - Onilu Tega, Nyeman Wangsu and Mepung Lamgu are our pride.

Although they missed to participate in the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzou for no fault of theirs, the State Government will treat them as participants of the Indian Wushu team.… pic.twitter.com/8Mw8dhslpY

— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) September 27, 2023

Also Coach Maibam Premchandra Singh will receive his share of 10% of the incentives awarded to the athletes. Mr Singh has been instrumental in grooming the three young athletes — enabling them to become first from Arunachal to qualify for Asian Games.

We have now set sail in… pic.twitter.com/WR1HYsmYZx

— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) September 27, 2023

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He also asked them not to worry about their future as the state’s sports policy provides for a government job to excelling sportspersons. “You need not worry. You are very young now. As and when the time comes, you will get a job with the government,” he added. Encouraging them to concentrate on their training, the chief minister assured them that all expenses of their training, dietary requirements, etc will be borne by the state government keeping in mind the Tokyo Asian Games. Wushu is yet to be included as an event in the Olympics. He commended the Arunachal Olympic Association and Arunachal Wushu Association for initiating to take up the stapled visa issue with the Indian Olympic Association at the highest level and assured support of the state government. The three athletes expressed gratitude to the chief minister and people of the state for their overwhelming support in the face of disappointment for not being able to compete in the Asian Games for which they had prepared for years. “But we are determined. We will prepare harder for the 2026 Asian Games and leave no stone unturned to win medals for our country and make Arunachal Pradesh proud,” they said. “Representing India on the international stage and contributing through sports for the country and state by winning medals has always been and always will be our cherished dream,” they added.