Thupten Kunga Memorial Table Tennis Championship - A fitting tribute to a devoted teacher

Table Tennis in Sikkim owes a lot to Late Thupten Kunga, who has coached not only the present generation of paddlers but also future generations as his students who have now become coaches themselves take his teachings and the spirit of the game forward...
SAGAR CHETTRI
Late Thupten Kunga who was the State Chief Table Tennis Coach till 2008 when he died in a tragic car accident has contributed immensely to the development and popularity of the game in Sikkim. "Married to Table Tennis", as he would often say of himself, the hardworking and dedicated coach has produced many table tennis players, from national and regional level players to some who have now become table tennis coaches themselves.
In recognition of his hardwork and contributions and also to pay homage to the Late Coach, the Thupten Kunga Memorial Table Tennis Championship was started in 2012 by the State TT Coach, Norden Bhutia with the support of the Sikkim Table Tennis Academy, Tadong. Since then, every year his students and many others come together to participate in the tournament in his memory.
This year, the 3rd edition of the tournament was organised together with the 8th edition of the State Open Veterans Table Tennis Championship 2014 at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall from 07 to 09 September. The three-day championship was organised by Sikkim Veterans Table Tennis Association [SVTTA].
More than 250 paddlers from different parts of the state as well as St Joseph's Convent and Rockvale Academy from Kalimpong participated in the championship. The championship had 07-year-old Eunice Rai of St Thomas as the Youngest Participant and 65-year-old PJ Lama as the Oldest Participant. There were altogether 18 categories from U-12 cadet to 50 years’ plus in veteran’s category.
Speaking to NOW!. some of his students share their deep gratitude and respect for the Late Coach.
State TT Coach, Norden Bhutia, who was also a student of Thupten Sir says, "Thupten Sir has played a great role in developing and promoting table tennis in the state, producing lots of quality paddlers. It is great to see his students coming together to play and conduct this tournament in his name every year". He assures that this annual tournament will be continued in the future.
National player Zarina Rana, who is Table Tennis coach In-charge [West District] says, “I started playing table tennis under his guidance at the age of 11 and for everything I have achieved so far in table tennis the credit goes to Thupten Sir”. She also adds that he always engaged parents of TT players in the game in order to better develop and promote it.
Another national player, Mandira Gurung says, “I started playing table tennis when I was 8 years old. Thupten Sir taught me how to hold a racket correctly and I have learned whatever I know of the game from him".  He was very punctual and dedicated to his work and would be coaching students from early morning to late in the evening, she adds.
Former general secretary of Sikkim Table Tennis Association, Karma Bhutia credits Thupten Sir for producing lots of national players from the state. "Those students who started table tennis with Thupten Sir are now working as table tennis coaches in the state", he says.
“As a person he was a gentleman and a dedicated coach who developed the game of table tennis in the state. I never saw him dressed in any formal attire. Always in a tracksuit he would be busy teaching his students all the time,” Mr Bhutia added.
As his students compete with each other to be the best, the Thupten Kunga Memorial Championship is a fitting tribute to a devoted teacher.

4-day State Open TT C’ship ends

GANGTOK, 15 Sept: The valedictory function of the 18th Sikkim State Open Table Tennis Championship 2013 was held this evening here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall. The Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, NK Pradhan was the chief guest of the function.
Ten-year-old cadet girl, Lakit Lepcha of Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School was awarded as the Most Promising Player of the Championship. Likewise, the Best Stag cadet boys [U-10 years] was awarded to Kalzang Wangchuk Bhutia of TNA and Siddharth Chettri of Bahai School.
The four-day championship was organised by Sikkim Table Tennis Association [STTA]. The championship witnessed the participation of more than 250 paddlers from different parts of the state. The championship had a total of 15 events from cadet to veterans.
In his valedictory address, the Minister congratulated the winners and all the participants in the championship. He expressed that participation is important to make any competition successful and further encouraged players to continue to play despite winning or losing. The Minister appreciated the initiatives and activities taken up by the association for the promotion and upliftment of table tennis in the state.
STTA president, CK Basnet mentioned that the standard of table tennis has improved manifold at present and at present Sikkim in on the second position in the North-East zone. He added that the credit goes to coaches and players for the improvement of standards.
He informed that the selected players of the state open will be participating in the State Games to be held in Gangtok this December and in the upcoming national championships in their respective categories.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks by STTA general secretary, Karma Bhutia.

State Open TT Championship begins

GANGTOK, 12 Sept: Around 300 paddlers from across the state are taking part in the 18th edition of State Open Table Tennis Championship 2013 which started this afternoon here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall. The four-day championship was inaugurated by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department Secretary, PR Poudyal. The championship is being organized by Sikkim Table Tennis Association [STTA].
The participants, mainly from schools, other educational institutions and corporate houses from all four districts will be participating in 15 events during the championship.
In his inaugural address, the Secretary mentioned that the state government has given priority to sports by providing various facilities and exposure to local sportspersons. He also added that the state government has created the infrastructures for various disciplines to encourage local players. He urged the members of different sports associations to take care of these infrastructures created by the government and make full use of these facilities.
Mr Poudyal congratulated STTA for its efforts in promoting the game of table tennis in the state and further encouraged players to continue to play the game.
STTA president, CK Basnet stated that the association has been organizing this state open every year with the main objective to provide a state-level platform and exposure to local paddlers. He also mentioned that the association has been sending state teams to different national tournaments across the country every year.
Mr Basnet informed that the best players of this championship will qualify to participate in the State Games to be organized by Sikkim Olympic Association at Paljor Stadium this December. He further informed that the association will also be sending the state teams to sub-junior & cadet, junior and senior nationals.
The inaugural function was followed by the commencement of matches in the championship. The inaugural function was also attended by GREF Commander, Col PH Reddy as the guest of honour and members from different sports associations.

17th State Open TT Championship concludes

GANGTOK, 07 Oct: Passang Tshering [boys] and Misha Limboo [girls] were adjudged the Most Promising Players in the 17th State Open Table Tennis Championship, which concluded today here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall.
Around 250 paddlers from across the state had taken part in 15 categories in the championship. The three-day championship was organized by Sikkim Table Tennis Association [STTA].
The valedictory function of the championship was held today, which had Sikkim Hydro Power Venture Project head, Sandeep Singh as the chief guest. The chief guest and other guests gave away the medals, prizes and certificates to the winners.
In his valedictory address, Mr Singh congratulated STTA for organizing such a championship regularly to provide a platform to talented players and to hone their talents further. He further encouraged players to continue with their training to reach the highest level in the near future.
During the function, STTA president, CK Basnet presented his presidential report.
The ranking paddlers in the championship will represent Sikkim in the upcoming Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior National Championships, which are scheduled to be held at different parts of the country.
The final day was also attended by the former Chief Secretary, PK Pradhan, president, SB Subba and general secretary, Kuber Bhandari of Sikkim Veterans Table Tennis Association and members of STTA.

TT tourney in memory of late coach, Thupden Kunga Bhutia in August

GANGTOK, 30 July: The first Thupden Kunga Bhutia Memorial Table Tennis Championship will be held from 18-20 August at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall, organized by the Sikkim Table Tennis Academy, Tadong.
The tournament is being organized in the memory of late Thupden Kunga Bhutia who was the Chief Table Tennis coach of Sikkim and to pay tribute to his contributions in the development and promotion of the game in the State. The tournament which aims to provide a platform for young and promising paddlers of the state will be organized every year in August by the Academy, it is informed.
The championship will be held in all categories from cadet to veterans. It is informed that this tournament will also be a selection trial for participants from East and North Sikkim. Those paddlers who reach upto the quarter-final round in this tournament will be allowed to take part in the upcoming State Open Table Tennis Championship scheduled to be held in October this year.
The interested should contact the Academy for further details. The last date to submit the entries is 10 August.

Sikkim gets its first medal in the ongoing Veterans TT Nationals

FETCHES A BRONZE IN WOMEN’S DOUBLES 60 PLUS CATEGORY
GANGTOK, 23 Feb: Sikkim paddlers won a bronze medal in the ongoing 19th National Veterans Table Tennis Championship here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall today. PJ Lama and D Gama bagged the bronze medal for the state in the Women’s Doubles 60 plus category. This is also the first medal for the state in this championship so far.
Finals in different categories were also played today in the championship and till the filing of this report four finals were completed. In 75 plus Men’s single final, P Jairam of Andhra Pradesh defeated RP Chatterjee of West Bengal.
In Women’s doubles 40 plus final, A Joshi and S Bakre of Maharashtra defeated M Murmu and P Banerjee of West Bengal. In Women’s doubles 50 plus final, N Kulkarni and Rajeshwari of Maharashtra beat Ujjwal and Preeti of Maharashtra.
In the 60 plus final of the same category, Bina Jacob and Nirmala of Andhra Pradesh defeated Latika and Santa of Karnataka.
The rest of the finals in different categories are scheduled to be played later this evening and tomorrow. The prize distribution ceremony of the championship is scheduled to be held on Friday afternoon.

Veterans TT Nationals begins

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF SVTTA LAUNCHED AND SOUVENIR RELEASED
GANGTOK, 20 Feb: The 19th edition of National Veterans Table Tennis Championship has attracted huge participation of paddlers from across the country, which started here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium today.
Sports Minister, NK Pradhan, who was present as the chief guest, declared the five-day event open. The tournament is being organized by the Sikkim Veterans Table Tennis Association [SVTTA]. The championship will conclude on 25 February.
A total of 38 teams from 24 states, 1 Union Territory of Chandigarh and 4 institutions from across the country are taking part in the championship. A total of 790 paddlers will be taking part under various categories of 40 plus, 50 plus, 60 plus, 65 plus and 70 plus for men’s and women’s.
In his presidential address, SVTTA president, SB Subba informed that the SVTTA was formed in 2006 with the primary objectives to promote table tennis in the state and to provide a platform for veteran players. He informed about the various achievements and activities of the association. He also thanked the Chief Minister and his government for supporting the association for holding such a prestigious event in the state.
SVTTA general secretary, Kuber Bhandari mentioned that Sikkim has given many national and international players in different disciplines to the country. He also presented the information on the championship.
During the inaugural function, the Sports Minister released the souvenir of the championship and also launched the official website of the SVTTA. On the occasion, SVTTA also felicitated senior veteran players of the championship.
The inaugural function was also attended by Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai, Indian Veteran Table Tennis Association general secretary, Titus Philipose, Political Advisor to the CM, KN Rai, who is also the SVTTA chief patron and SVTTA chief advisor, ADGP Sikkim Police, SD Negi among others.
This was followed by an exhibition match between Harsh Chopra of Haryana and KK Rai of Mumbai. Mr Chopra is the winner of the 40 plus category in the last edition and also the Asian singles champion last year and first Indian to do so, while Mr Rai is the winner of the 50 plus category of the last edition.

Sikkim girls bag TT bronze at PYKKA Nationals

GANGTOK, 19 Feb: The State table tennis team has returned with a bronze medal from the All India PYKKA National Table Tennis Championship held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai from 08 to 11 February. The girls team bagged the bronze medal for the state in the championship.
The five-member team comprised of Chumpila Bhutia, Priya Gurung, Akanksha Sharma, Leeki Bhutia and Prabha Limboo. A 10-member state team comprising of 5 girls and 5 boys had taken part in the championship. The team was led by State coach, Norden Bhutia.

739 paddlers sign up for National Veteran’s TT Championship to be held in Sikkim

GANGTOK, 08 Feb: Sikkim Veterans Table Tennis Association [SVTTA] is working on a war-footing for the preparation of the upcoming 19th edition of National Veterans Table Tennis Championship scheduled to be held from 20 to 24 February here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium.
More than 700 players from almost all parts of the country are likely to take part in the championship. The championship will have events in 40 plus, 50 plus, 60 plus, 70 plus and 75 plus categories.
SVTTA general secretary, Kuber Bhandari informed that a total of 739 paddlers from across the state have confirmed their participation in the championship so far and more are likely to join the championship. He informed that Maharashtra will have the biggest contingent of 140 members followed by 84 members from West Bengal and 65 from Andhra Pradesh.
Mr Bhandari informed that the host state will have a 36-member contingent who are undergoing a coaching camp at present under the coaches, Norden Bhutia and Biren Tamang. The Sikkim team has senior player SK Pandey in the 70 plus category, while TB Gurung will take part in the 65 plus and UK Pradhan and PJ Lama will take part in the 60 plus categories.
The general secretary informed that different sub-committees have been constituted and work has been distributed among them. He further added that the organizing committee has also made arrangements to showcase the culture and tourism of the state.
“Every participant will be a brand ambassador for the state when they go back from the tournament to spread the message of Sikkim’s tourism across the whole country,” said Mr Bhandari.

STTA president leads national team as manager at international tournament

SAGAR CHHETRI 
GANGTOK, 08 Feb: Sikkim Table Tennis Association president, CK Basnet, has expressed that participating in the ITTF Global Cadet Challenge & Global Junior Circuit Finals at San Juan, Puerto Rico in USA last month was a ‘valuable learning experience’.
Mr Basnet, who is also the associate vice-president of Table Tennis Federation of Indian [TTFI], led the Indian Table Tennis Team as manager in the ITTF Global Cadet Challenge & Global Junior Circuit Finals, which was held at San Juan, Puerto Rico in USA from 17 to 27 January.
It was also the first and a rare opportunity for him to lead the Indian team to such a prestigious international event. In the competition, Abhishek Yadav and Rony Maria won gold medals in the team event for the country, while Soumajit Ghosh bagged a bronze medal along with cash prize of $1500.
While sharing his experience in a press conference today, Mr Basnet stated that it was a wonderful experience for him to be a part of a prestigious international event. He further stated that it was a great opportunity for him to see and learn the techniques and game of international players from 31 participating countries. He added that it was a proud moment for him to lead the India team in the event and further added that the team members came back with flying colours.
Mr Basnet stated that his experience would help the state table tennis fraternity and also planned to share his experiences with the paddlers in the state to encourage them to be dedicated and serious with their game to reach such international level. He also expressed his gratitude to the TTFI general secretary, Dhan Raj Chowdhary, on behalf of the STTA for providing him the opportunity.
STTA vice-president, CL Sharma mentioned that it was a big achievement for the STTA and the entire table tennis fraternity of the state. He further mentioned that such opportunity to the STTA president was the recognition of the continuous activities of the STTA for the development of table tennis in the state. The function was also addressed by the STTA general secretary, Karma Bhutia.
Likewise, Sikkim Veterans Table Tennis Association [SVTTA] president, SB Subba, congratulated Mr Basnet for leading the country in a prestigious international event on behalf of the association and paddlers of the country.

Six Sikkim paddlers to represent state in the Senior Nationals

GANGTOK, 18 Jan: A six-member team of Sikkim Table Tennis Association [STTA] is all set to represent Sikkim in the Senior National Tournament scheduled to be held at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh from 23 to 29 January. The tournament is being organized by the Lucknow Table Tennis Organization.
STTA has shortlisted Karun Chettri, Manoj Sharma, Ujjwal Rai, Kalzang Bhutia, Anita Rai and Mandira Gurung to represent the state in a selection camp held here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall today. The team accompanied by Tshering Topgay as team manager will be leaving on Friday.
The names of the state team members were announced during a STTA press conference this afternoon, which was addressed by vice-president, Uday Pradhan, joint secretary, Tshering Topgay, general secretary, Karma Bhutia and publicity secretary, Zigmee Shenga and state coach, Norden Bhutia.
General Secretary, Mr Bhutia stated that the STTA has been providing full support to the players in all aspects to encourage players to perform well in the tournament. He also stated that the credit for the good performance of the players goes to the coach, who has been training them every day. He stated that participation in such tournaments is very important to increase the ranking and also its certificate helps the paddlers to get admission in the best colleges in the future.
Coach, Mr Bhutia further added that the players have been given an opportunity, so they should make good use of it and it offers big exposure for the junior players.
Team Manager, Mr Bhutia stated that the tournament will be tough for the state team as it is also a selection trial for the Indian team. He informed that at present Sikkim stands on the third position in the whole North-East region. He informed that apart from Ujjwal Rai, who is from North Sikkim, rest of the team members are from East Sikkim.

TT teams leave for nationals

GANGTOK, 02 Jan: A 23-member Sikkim Table Tennis Association [STTA] team left today to represent Sikkim at the 72nd Junior and Youth National Table Tennis Championships being held in Siliguri from 03 to 08 January.
The team has 16 junior players and 07 youth players and is being accompanied by two team officials- Biren Tamang and Lalit Rai.
Before leaving for the tournament, the team underwent a 15-day coaching camp under Norden Bhutia at the Paljor Stadium gymnasium hall.
The junior team was shortlisted on the basis of state rankings, while a selection camp was conducted to select the youth team.

STTA president appointed Sub-Junior Team manager for team India

GANGTOK, 02 Jan [IPR]: Vice President TTFI and President, Sikkim Table Tennis Association, CK Basnet, has been nominated by the Table Tennis Federation of India to represent India as a Manager of the Indian Sub-Junior Team in the International Table Tennis Global Cadet Challenge being held at San Juian Pureto Rica USA from 14 to 23 January 2012.

Sikkim to host National Veterans TT Championship from 20-24 Feb

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: Sikkim Veterans Table Tennis Association [SVTTA] has received the privilege to host the 19th edition of the National Veterans Table Tennis Championship from 20 to 24 February here at Paljor Stadium. Sikkim is the first North-eastern state to be selected to host this championship.

8 top ranking players to represent Sikkim at national meet

16TH STATE TT CHAMPIONSHIPS CONCLUDE GANGTOK, 07 Nov: Nima Tenzing Lepcha of Soyam Junior High School in boy’s and Tenzing Doma Sherpa of Bahai School, Tadong, in girl’s emerged has as the Best Player in the Cadet U-12 category of the 16th State Open Table Tennis Championship, which concluded here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall today.

16th State Open TT Championships begins with over 400 participants

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 04 Nov: More than 400 players are taking part in the 16th edition of State Open Table Tennis Championship, which was inaugurated by the Sports & Youth Affairs Minister, NK Pradhan, today here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium.

Open TT championship next month

GANGTOK, 13 Oct: The Sikkim Table Tennis Association has announced plans to hold the 16th Open Table Tennis Championship from 04-07 November at the Paljor Stadium Gymnasium Hall.
The tournament, originally scheduled for earlier, was postponed following the 18 September earthquake. 

STTA and SVTTA felicitates paddlers Kritika Rai and Siddharth Bhujel

GANGTOK, 20 June: Kritika Rai and Siddharth Bhujel were felicitated by the Sikkim Table Tennis Association [STTA] and Sikkim Veteran Table Tennis Association (SVTTA) here in the capital on 18 June, informs a press release.
The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board selection trials were held on 04 -05 June at Ajmer, Rajasthan where Rai qualified in the Sub-junior category while Bhujel in the Cadet category, informed STTA President , CK Basnet at the programme.

Kritika becomes first Sikkimese TT player to be selected by Petroleum Sports Promotion Board

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 07 June: Kritika Rai is the first table tennis player from Sikkim to get picked up by the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board [PSPB]. In her PSPB selection trial on 4 and 5 May in Ajmer, she impressed the scouts enough to become the only girl selected by the PSPB this time.
She was the only girl get selected out of 11 from across the country in the selection trials. It was informed that out of 10 matches in the trial, she won six and also impressed selectors in the other tests.
The Sikkim Table Tennis Association sent Kritika in sub-junior and Siddharth Bhujel in cadet categories for the selection trial accompanied by the STTA joint secretary, Tshering Topgay.

6-member TT team readied for NE Games

GANGTOK, 22 April: A six-member state Table Tennis is all set to leave for Arunachal Pradesh for the 25th North East Games 2011 scheduled to be held from 25 to 30 April.
The team members are Kamal Subba, Ashish Tamang, Sailesh Sundas, Kritika Rai, Prabha Limboo and Tashi Doma Bhutia. The team will be accompanied by the Sikkim Table Tennis Association joint secretary, Tshering Topgay.
Apart from the regular camp, the team has undergone a special week-long camp for the championship under the coaches Norden Bhutia and Sonam Wangchuk Bhutia.