📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Athulvis
Sports
International racers try bamboo rafting ahead of Mechukha qualifier in Arunachal
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 16 Nov 2026, 01:17 AM
👁 25
Adventure racing teams from abroad practiced traditional bamboo rafting in Arunachal Pradesh as a pre‑race activity for the Mechukha Championship qualifier.
International adventure racing teams arrived in Arunachal Pradesh to prepare for the upcoming Mechukha Championship qualifier. As part of their pre‑race training, they were taken to a local river where they tried traditional bamboo rafting, a practice long used by indigenous communities.
The bamboo rafts, crafted from locally sourced bamboo poles and tied together with natural fibers, offered the athletes a chance to navigate the swift currents while learning about the region’s cultural heritage. Coaches said the activity helps improve teamwork and river‑reading skills essential for the upcoming race.
Organisers of the Mechukha qualifier, held in the remote district of Shi‑Yomi, highlighted that integrating local traditions into the event promotes tourism and preserves indigenous practices. The teams, representing several countries, expressed enthusiasm about the unique experience and its relevance to the challenging terrain of the upcoming competition.
The initiative underscores Arunachal’s growing profile as a destination for adventure sports, with authorities planning further infrastructure to support future international competitions.
The bamboo rafts, crafted from locally sourced bamboo poles and tied together with natural fibers, offered the athletes a chance to navigate the swift currents while learning about the region’s cultural heritage. Coaches said the activity helps improve teamwork and river‑reading skills essential for the upcoming race.
Organisers of the Mechukha qualifier, held in the remote district of Shi‑Yomi, highlighted that integrating local traditions into the event promotes tourism and preserves indigenous practices. The teams, representing several countries, expressed enthusiasm about the unique experience and its relevance to the challenging terrain of the upcoming competition.
The initiative underscores Arunachal’s growing profile as a destination for adventure sports, with authorities planning further infrastructure to support future international competitions.