253 kids complete winter football coaching with Boy’s Club

GANGTOK, 31 Jan: The valedictory function of the 40-day long winter football coaching camp organized by one of the oldest football clubs of Gangtok, Boy’s Club, was held here at Paljor Stadium today.
This was the second consecutive year that Boys’ Club organized the coaching camp.
A total of 253 children, aged between 4 to 17 years, attended the camp during which they were trained by coaches and senior players of the Club. The camp had begun on 23 December.
The recently nominated Rajya Sabha MP from Sikkim, Hissey Lachungpa, who was present as the chief guest today, gave away the certificates to the participants.
Addressing the function, Mr Lachungpa appreciated the initiative in conducting such coaching camps and suggested that parents of the participants support the club by registering themselves as members.
He highlighted that sports and games help keep youth and children engaged in productive and healthy activities, and stressed that in order to strengthen the society, parents should work for the overall development of the children.
Mr Lachungpa mentioned that the State government has also given priority to sports and has been creating and developing facilities and infrastructures for sports across the state. He added that the government cannot provide jobs to everyone but it has been providing tremendous opportunities and scope for its people.
The MP suggested that private companies in the state should come forward to support and develop active sports clubs and associations in order to promote local sportspersons. Being the Sikkim Football Association advisor, Mr Lachungpa suggested that SFA should conduct leagues in different age categories to provide more platforms for local footballers.
He also urged the budding footballers to take inspiration from Bhaichung Bhutia to be a successful footballer and also urged them to concentrate on their studies along with sports.
SFA general secretary, Menla Ethenpa congratulated Boy’s Club for setting an example of an active club through their initiatives for budding footballers and for developing club culture in the state.
He mentioned that to encourage the club, SFA has been sending Boy’s Club teams to different national football tournaments. He informed that in a recent national tournament, Boy’s Club performed well and reached the semi-final stage and two of its players were even selected by the AIFF for the India U-17 selection camp at Goa.
Mr Ethenpa encouraged young players to be disciplined, dedicated and sincere in their game and further urged their parents to encourage their children in sports to keep them away from anti-social activities.
He also urged the Sports Department to complete and open the football ground at Khel Gaon as soon as possible to produce more footballers. Responding to Mr Lachungpa’s suggestions, he informed that SFA would start football leagues for different age groups soon.
Boy’s Club chief coach, Thupten Rapgyal informed that the main aim of the coaching camp was to promote football in the real sense across the state and to inculcate sports culture in the society. He further informed that sports culture has been developing in the state and a good number of parents were present at the ground on the day to encourage their wards.
Speaking to NOW! a Boy’s Club member, Basant Gurung informed that 253 children from all four districts participated in the camp. He stated that the response from the people was good and even the participation has doubled compared to last year.
He informed that children were taught on the basics of football, fitness and other skills. Mr Gurung also appreciated the encouraging response from the parents who were also involved along with their children in the camp.
The club has expressed its gratitude to Mr Lachungpa for supporting the coaching camp, Sports Department for providing the ground, parents and well wishers.