In the quiet, remote villages of Arunachal Pradesh, the steady rhythm of a bouncing basketball is signalling a new dawn. A groundbreaking initiative, the
Rising Suns basketball Arunachal programme, is using the sport to bring hope, confidence, and vital life skills to over 200 children. Launched on June 25, 2025, in Palizi, this youth development program is creating a powerful alternative for adolescents in a region where opportunities are often limited.
For many young people in these Himalayan villages, life presents a unique set of challenges, including isolation and limited platforms for self-expression. The Rising Suns program offers a way forward. Through daily engagement in sports, it provides a healthy, positive environment that fosters better life choices and builds a supportive community.
A Vision Inspired by Success
The force behind this initiative is founder Peter Fernandes. Hailing from Goa, Fernandes brings invaluable experience as the former programme manager of ‘Khelo Rugby’, a highly successful NGO that sent over 25 players to the Indian National Teams. He moved to Arunachal to replicate this success, aiming to bring organized sports to remote villages where access to trained coaches is almost non-existent.
The program currently operates in three key locations: Palizi and Thrizino in the West Kameng District, and Bana in the Bichom District. These locations were chosen strategically because while they had existing basketball courts, they lacked anyone to coach the children. By partnering with institutions like St. Xavier’s School and St. John Berchman’s School, known for their commitment to grassroots education and sports, Rising Suns has found fertile ground for its mission.
More Than a Game: Building a Brighter Future
The Rising Suns basketball Arunachal program is built on the belief that sport can be a vehicle for profound personal growth. It’s not just about winning games; it’s about building character.
The program’s structure is multi-faceted:
- Daily Coaching: Two qualified, full-time coaches from Arunachal Pradesh lead free coaching sessions every morning and evening. The program engages 90 students in Palizi, 65 in Thrizino, and 50 in Bana.
- Life Skills Development: Every session incorporates training on essential values like leadership, discipline, and mental well-being, using sport as a teaching tool.
- Promoting Equality: A key feature is the emphasis on mixed-gender teams, which gives equal opportunities to both boys and girls and helps break down gender stereotypes from an early age.
- Creating Leaders: The program actively cultivates leadership skills by giving older adolescents the chance to become mentors for younger children, assist coaches, and take on responsibilities.
The Road to Itanagar and Beyond
The immediate goal for these young athletes is the upcoming 5th Arunachal State-level Inter-School Basketball Tournament in Itanagar, scheduled from August 17th to 23rd, 2025. The U-15 boys’ and girls’ teams are training intensely, learning the technicalities and rules of the game in a short time frame to prepare for the competition. This tournament represents a massive opportunity for exposure and growth.
However, as a non-profit operating without external funding, getting the teams to Itanagar is a significant challenge. The organization has made a sincere appeal for support from local leaders and organizations to help cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and food for the seven-day tournament.
Looking ahead, the ultimate vision for Rising Suns is to build a self-sustaining basketball ecosystem in the state. By training local youth to become certified coaches and referees, the program is laying the foundation for a homegrown culture of sporting excellence in Arunachal Pradesh.