CM Pema Khandu: Itanagar to host 35th National Wushu Championship
Synopsis
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced that Itanagar will host the 35th Senior National Wushu Championship from 9 to 15 December 2026 at the Dorjee Khandu Memorial Badminton Indoor Hall in Chimpu, organised by AAPWA.
Key Takeaways
Itanagar will host the 35th Senior National Wushu Championship from 9–15 December 2026 .
The event is organised by the All Arunachal Pradesh Wushu Association (AAPWA) .
Venue is the Dorjee Khandu Memorial Badminton Indoor Hall (DK Hall) , Chimpu, Itanagar.
The championship is an annual national event run under the Wushu Association of India .
The DK Hall is named after Dorjee Khandu , former Chief Minister and father of CM Pema Khandu .
The announcement continues a pattern of northeastern states securing high-profile national sporting events.
Arunachal Pradesh is stepping into the national sporting spotlight — Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced on Monday, 2 November 2026 that Itanagar will host the 35th Senior National Wushu Championship this December, bringing the country's best wushu athletes to the northeastern state's capital.
The championship, organised by the All Arunachal Pradesh Wushu Association (AAPWA), is scheduled to run from 9 to 15 December 2026 at the Dorjee Khandu Memorial Badminton Indoor Hall (DK Hall) in Chimpu, Itanagar. The seven-day event will draw senior competitive athletes representing states and union territories from across India.
A hall that carries history
The choice of venue carries quiet significance. The DK Hall is named after Dorjee Khandu, a former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and the father of the incumbent CM Pema Khandu. Hosting a national championship at the facility adds a layer of personal and institutional pride to the announcement. The indoor hall in Chimpu has served as one of the state's premier indoor sports facilities, and the championship represents a high-profile test of its capacity on a national stage.
The Northeast's growing moment in Indian sport
The decision to hold the national championship in Itanagar fits a wider pattern. Northeastern states have steadily emerged as hosts for national-level competitions as sports infrastructure in the region has expanded in recent years. For Arunachal Pradesh specifically, an event of this scale is an opportunity to showcase both its facilities and its deep roots in wushu — a martial art in which athletes from the region have historically punched well above their weight at national competitions.
The Wushu Association of India has held annual senior national championships across the country to develop competitive depth in the sport. Landing the 35th edition in Itanagar underlines the state body AAPWA's organisational standing within Indian wushu.
What December looks like
With the event still weeks away, all eyes will be on the participation lists, the weight-category draws, and any state government announcements around athlete support or event infrastructure. For now, Arunachal Pradesh has claimed the address of Indian wushu for the first two weeks of December — and the countdown to 9 December has officially begun.
Point of View
A goal that has gained momentum as Union and state governments have channelled infrastructure investment into the region. For Arunachal Pradesh specifically, wushu is not a peripheral sport but a competitive identity, and a national championship on home soil amplifies both athlete morale and state-level visibility. The choice of the Dorjee Khandu Memorial Hall weaves personal legacy into public policy, a deft touch that connects institutional ambition to regional memory.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the 35th Senior National Wushu Championship be held?
The championship will be held at the Dorjee Khandu Memorial Badminton Indoor Hall (DK Hall) in Chimpu, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
When is the 35th Senior National Wushu Championship 2026?
The event is scheduled from 9 to 15 December 2026.
Who is organising the 35th National Wushu Championship?
The All Arunachal Pradesh Wushu Association (AAPWA) is the organising body for the championship.
Who is Dorjee Khandu, after whom the DK Hall is named?
Dorjee Khandu was a former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and the father of current Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
Why is Arunachal Pradesh hosting the national wushu championship?
Arunachal Pradesh, through AAPWA, has been awarded hosting rights for the 35th edition, reflecting both the state's improved indoor sports infrastructure and its strong wushu tradition in the northeastern region.
