Two Sikkim Karatekas to represent country in Asian Championship

HEM KUMARI RAI AND NEEMU LEPCHA WILL MAKE INTERNATIONAL DEBUT IN UZBEKISTAN
GANGTOK, 08 July: It is again a proud moment for Sikkim as two of its karatekas have been shortlisted to represent India in the Asian Karate Championship scheduled to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 14 to 17 July. On the basis of their performances in the National championships, Hem Kumari Rai and Neemu Lepcha have been shortlisted for the national team.
Hem Kumari Rai will be taking part in the 11th Asian Senior Karate Championship, while Neemu Lepcha will be taking part in the 12th Asian Junior Karate Championship. The girls are participating in an international competition for the first time. Both the championships will be held at the same venue and time mentioned above.
Hem Kumari had bagged gold in the Senior Nationals held in December last year, while Neemu also won a gold medal in the Junior Nationals held in May, earlier this year. On the basis of these wins, the duo has been selected to represent the nation.
Hem Kumari hails from Deu-Damthang in South Sikkim while Neemu Lepcha belongs to Ray-Mindu in Tintem in East Sikkim.
Sikkim State Karate-do Association [SSKA] expressed its best wishes to both karatekas in a small function held at Paljor Stadium today.
Addressing the function, Ms Rai and Ms Lepcha said that they have prepared well for the championship and hope of winning medals for the country. They further expressed that it was their dream to take part at the international level and with this Asian championship their dreams have come true.
The duo further informed that they have undergone a rigorous one-month training at Paljor Stadium under their Chief Coach, BB Subba and other coaches of SSKA.
Sports and Youth Affairs Deputy Director [Coaching], Thupten Rapgyal Bhutia lauded SSKA’s efforts in bringing out many promising karatekas in the state. He mentioned that Karate is a discipline which has been regularly fetching medals for the state.
While expressing his best wishes to both players, the Deputy Director mentioned that the Asian championship is a tough competition and it is a golden opportunity for these karatekas to be given such a big platform.
SSKA chief coach, BB Subba mentioned that both karatekas are in their best form and the association has full hopes that the two will bring home medals from the competition. He added that the two young upcoming karatekas have been consistent in their performances till date and would continue to do so at their debut in the Asian level competition as well.
The Chief Coach also expressed his gratitude to the Sports and Youth Affairs Department and especially the Secretary for the support and encouragement extended to SSKA.