Silver Jubilee Losoong Archery tourney begins

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: Ten teams from different parts of the state are participating in the Silver Jubilee Losoong Archery Tournament 2013-14 which started today here at Archery Range, Tathangchen. The traditional archery tournament is being organized by Yargay Association of Tathangchen [YAT] to mark the festival of Losoong.
The inaugural match was played between Crouching Tiger, Tathangchen and Sichey Mavericks. Sichey Mavericks won the match by 42 to 33 points and moved to the next round of the tournament. Now, Bayul Demazong will take on Kabi Lungstok in the next match on 17 December. The final match is scheduled to be played on 04 January.
The inaugural day of the tournament had senior citizen of Tathangchen, Mingma Tshering, as the chief guest.
YAT general secretary, Karma Sonam mentioned that YAT has been organizing this traditional archery tournament every year on the occasion of Losoong. He added that the main objective of the tournament is to preserve the traditional form of archery in Sikkim and to promote it amongst the younger generation. He has invited all the people of Sikkim to witness the matches in the tournament to encourage archers and to preserve the traditional form of archery.
Mr Sonam mentioned that this year being the silver jubilee year of the tournament, there are some added features like the Mini Olympic for children at Guards Ground on 26 December along with a veterans football match, tug of war and other activities. He further added that the inaugural ceremony was to celebrate the silver jubilee in a grand manner but was toned down owing to the loss of life and damages that the state has sustained in last night’s windstorm.