Strength-Lifting team set for national championship

GANGTOK, 14 Aug: A 10-member Sikkim Strength Lifting Association [SSLA] team is all set to participate in the 21st edition of Senior and Master Men & Women National Strength Lifting & Inclined Bench Press Championship to be held at Vidya Sagar Memorial Hall in Midnapur, West Bengal from 21 to 24 August.
The team has Pema Dorji Bhutia, Sonam Dadul Bhutia, Dhan Bahadur Tamang, Tashi Bhutia, Sujay Tamang, Bhakta Bahadur Chettri, Karma Tseten Bhutia, Bhai Chung-Chung Bhutia, Leena Chettri and Karma Lhamu Bhutia. Pema Dorji Bhutia, who is leading the team, will also be serving the championship as a National Judge. The team is scheduled to leave on 18 August for the championship.
In a short function today, SSLA members led by their president Jigme Wangchuk and vice-president, Palden Thendup Bhutia, conveyed their best wishes to the state team by offering khadas.
SSLA publicity secretary, Rinzing Wangyal Chophel informed that two gold medalists from each participating state in this championship will get a chance to participate in an international level competition scheduled to be held in the month of February next year. In this regard, he encouraged the team to put their best efforts to win gold medals in the competition. He also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the association to Rumtek based NGO, Sikkim Social Welfare Youth Association for sponsoring tracksuits for the team members.
Mr Chophel stated that the SSLA has been working to engage youth in healthy and disciplined life through sports and steer them away from anti-social activities and drug abuse. He urged the concerned department to immediately shift the gym to White Hall or some other appropriate space from its present location at Tathangchen. He further urged the Sports and Youth Affairs department to provide cash incentives to the medal winners of Strength Lifting.
Likewise, SSLA treasurer, Rahul Sarda expressed his best wishes to all team members for the championship. He informed that the association has also been planning to conduct a strength lifting competition in the state in the near future.