Sikkim athletes who participated in 1st NE Olympic Games lauded

Gangtok: The Sikkim Olympic Association (SOA) on Monday organised a felicitation programme for all the athletes from the state who won medals at the 1st Northeast Olympic Games held in Imphal, Manipur in October last year.

Sikkim minister for sports & youth affairs Kunga Nima lepcha graced the occasion as the chief guest along with other dignitaries and executive members of the SOA. He thanked the association for inviting him and gave his best wishes for the future sports events. Grants worth Rs 20,000 each were handed over to 18 sports associations affiliated to the SOA.

During the maiden games held last year, Sikkim had bagged one gold, three silver and 17 bronze medals, besides winning three team championships in various sporting disciplines such as badminton, karate, taekwondo table-tennis, football and boxing, among others.

SOA president BK Roka in his address assured the athletes to provide further support for future sports events. He expressed his happiness about their performances and told them to prepare for future sports events.

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Sikkim Archery Association general secretary Dr KB Gurung emphasised how having a clear goal and sincere practice can do miracles.

Some of the athletes also expressed their gratitude towards SOA for the opportunity provided and placed few demands for the upgrade of sports equipment and infrastructure.

In his address, Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association general secretary Thupden Rabgyal told the athletes how our mental attitude define our success. “If you never sow anything, you will never reap anything. Every second is precious in the life of an athlete,” he added.

Kuber Bhandari proposed the vote of thanks for SOA.