Mangan lifts CM’s Gold Cup Archery Tournament 2012

GANGTOK, 22 April: Mangan has emerged as the champions of the 13th edition of the Chief Minister’s Gold Cup Archery Tournament- 2012 held at Sikkim Archery Association’s archery field here at Tathangchen.
In the final match played today, Mangan edged out Todey-Tangda by 56 points to 24 points. Mangan had reached the finals defeating Y12K Shooters in the semi-final, while in another semi-final Todey-Tandga had defeated Thimpu United.
Lakey Dorjee of Todey-Tangda was adjudged as the Man of the Tournament for his 52 targets in the tournament, while Gem Tshering of Mangan received the Man of the Final Match trophy for his 16 targets.
The tournament was organized by the Sikkim Archery Association [SAA] from 01 April. Seventeen teams from Bhutan, Kalimpong and different parts of the State had taken part in the tournament.
Sikkim Legislative Assembly Speaker, KT Gyaltsen was present as the chief guest of the final day and was accompanied by SAA president, PHE Minister, TT Bhutia and executive members of SAA.
In his address, Mr Gyaltsen stressed that in order to preserve the identity and existence of any community it was important to save language, culture and tradition. He urged the people to participate and work to preserve the culture, tradition and language through different activities. He congratulated the SAA for consistently conducting tournaments to save the traditional form of archery in the State.
SAA general secretary, Dr KB Gurung presented the annual report of the association.
On the occasion, SAA felicitated Tika Ram Regmi of Upper Samdong in East Sikkim for his contribution in promoting and preserving traditional archery in the State. He played for Snow Lion Club and Dacgayargay Club of Samdong from 1985 to 2009 and at present, he is the coach of the oldest and renowned club of Samdong, Snow Lion Club.
The chief guest handed over the trophies, cash prizes, medals and certificates to winners and runners-up teams and other individual winners. The winning team received Rs 60,000, while Rs 30,000 was awarded to the runner-up team.
The final day also saw cultural presentations by artists of Thonglay Dranyang Company of Phuentsholing, Bhutan and Hamro Pariwar of Decheling.
The first edition of the tournament was lifted by Tadong team in 2000 followed by Ranka for two consecutive times in 2001 and 2002 and in 2003 Pedong from Kalimpong lifted the tournament. Todey-Tangda won the tournament for three consecutive times from 2004 to 2006 and then Ranka again became the champions in 2007. Kabi-Lungchok took the champions title in 2008 and 2009 which was bagged by Tathangchen in 2010. Bhutan United was the champion of the last edition of the tournament.