Agartala, February 18, 2026: Chief Minister Prof Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday said that Tripura, once considered backward in the field of sports, has witnessed a radical transformation in its sporting ecosystem since the present government assumed office.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the final of the Padmajang Memorial Football Competition held at R.K.M. Maidan in Kailashahar, the Chief Minister stated that the government has significantly upgraded sports infrastructure across the state. Facilities for athletics, swimming and football have been developed, with special emphasis on strengthening infrastructure in tribal areas.

He said that after many years, the Padmajang Football Competition has been revived in the state. Lauding the efforts of Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, Saha said that the tournament, deeply associated with past memories, has been successfully reintroduced. Teams from almost all Northeastern states participated in the competition.

Describing football as one of the most popular sports, the Chief Minister said the game offers intense excitement and engagement within a short duration. He added that several synthetic football turf grounds have been constructed across the state and that the government is simultaneously focusing on improving the quality of sports infrastructure.

Speaking during a brief programme organised at half-time, Sports Minister Tinku Roy said the government aims to nurture emerging talents through sports. He noted that a conducive environment for sports has now been created in the state through systematic infrastructure development.

Among those present at the final match were Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das, Unakoti Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Amalendu Das, Uttar Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Aparna Nath, Unakoti Zilla Parishad member Bimal Kar, Kailashahar Municipal Council Chairperson Chapala Rani Debroy, Unakoti District Magistrate Dr. Tamal Majumdar, Superintendent of Police Sudambika R, and Tripura Football Association Secretary Amit Chowdhury, among others.

In the final match, Manipur’s Rengdai FC defeated Trao FC of Manipur 5–4 in a tie-breaker to clinch the championship title. Chief Minister Manik Saha presented a cheque of Rs 5 lakh along with a trophy to the winning team, while Sports Minister Tinku Roy handed over a cheque of Rs 3 lakh and a trophy to the runners-up.

The tournament, which commenced on January 31, featured participation from 16 teams representing Tripura, other Northeastern states, Sikkim and West Bengal.