States » EastPosted at: Jun 7 2025 5:44PM


EKSWCO seeks Rijiju’s intervention over Sambo Lapung’s exclusion from Commonwealth Weightlifting team

Itanagar, June 7 (UNI) The East Kameng Social Welfare and Cultural Organization (EKSWCO) strongly condemned the exclusion of national weightlifting champion Sambo Lapung from the Indian team for the upcoming Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships.
In a detailed representation emailed on Saturday to Union Minister and Arunachal West MP Kiren Rijiju, EKSWCO has called for his urgent intervention, citing concerns over fairness and transparency in the selection process conducted by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
Sambo Lapung, hailing from Lapung village in East Kameng district, is a three-time Senior National Weightlifting Champion in the 96kg category. He clinched gold medals at the national championships held in Chandigarh (2022), Itanagar (2023), and Himachal Pradesh (2024). His 2023 performance in Itanagar, where he lifted a total of 338 kg – 10 kg more than his closest rival Harshit Sehrawat of Haryana – was particularly noteworthy. Despite his consistent record, the IWF reportedly selected Sehrawat for the Commonwealth team, allegedly based on his silver medal at the Inter Railways Championships.
EKSWCO expressed deep dissatisfaction with the IWF’s decision, questioning the criteria used for team selection. “This is a grave injustice not only to Sambo Lapung but to the sporting spirit of the region,” said EKSWCO Chairperson Raya Flago. The organization stated that the move has severely hurt the sentiments of the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the larger Northeastern region.
“This decision reinforces a troubling pattern of stereotyping and discrimination against athletes from the Northeast,” the representative noted, adding that such repeated instances of exclusion feed into feelings of marginalization and alienation.
The organization warned that this could discourage the region’s youth, who view sports as a vital means of national integration and personal growth.
Established in 1978, EKSWCO has long worked toward the socio-cultural and economic upliftment of East Kameng’s communities. The organization emphasized that Lapung's achievements have brought immense pride to the region and that his exclusion from the national team is a disservice to all aspiring athletes from the state.
“Sambo Lapung’s inclusion would serve as a powerful symbol of fairness and inspire countless young athletes across Arunachal Pradesh,” said Flago.
EKSWCO called on Rijiju to take decisive steps to rectify the situation by urging the IWF to review its selection and consider Lapung’s inclusion based on his national performance.
The representation also requested that the Minister advocate for a transparent, merit-based selection system that prioritizes results from national championships over other considerations. “Sambo Lapung, a constituent of your parliamentary jurisdiction, embodies the dreams and aspirations of our youth. His omission has caused widespread disappointment,” the representative stated.
EKSWCO further appealed for an inquiry into the IWF’s selection process to identify any procedural lapses and to institute safeguards to prevent such discrepancies in the future.
The organization urged Rijiju to champion equitable opportunities for Northeastern athletes and work to eliminate systemic biases in India’s national sports framework.
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