GANGTOK, 19 Sept: Winning medals in three categories at the state level swimming meet organized by Sikkim Amateur Swimming Association (SASA) last weekend is truly an inspiring and commendable achievement for the first ever government school swimming team from Nimtar JHS.
Eight students, all aged between 10-14 years, and hailing from rural backgrounds constituted the first government school swimming team which had participated in its maiden competition last Saturday after training for one and half months at 32 No.
The boys from Nimtar JHS got medals in three different categories that were butterfly 50 meters, freestyle and relay.
The teacher at Nimtar JHS who is a state level swimmer herself and instrumental in bringing out these talents from the grass root spoke to NOW! today and expressed her happiness on how the team had performed against all odds.
“I always believed that these children had it in them to be top level competitors. It definitely was a challenge to constitute the team, convince many people and keep up the spirit while training as we had to do everything ourselves. The students are so excited about their achievement and I am happy that they got the platform that they deserved,” says an ecstatic Pema Lingzepa.
She also added that she was super contended with the results since the boys got three bronze medals in the sub-junior and junior categories, “they competed with national swimmers who were double their size and showed what they were made of. All the hard work has paid off and we are confident that the medal tally would be even bigger in the upcoming events,” she expressed.
It may be mentioned that Pema also won one gold, one silver and the best woman swimmer in the championship.
“From the river to the pool, the journey has been an experience to remember and cherish. Now with our students performing I guess some sections would come up and sponsor them to join more competitions outside and also for their training. There was a point to prove and the boys have proved that they can compete with the best in the state,” she says.
Eight students, all aged between 10-14 years, and hailing from rural backgrounds constituted the first government school swimming team which had participated in its maiden competition last Saturday after training for one and half months at 32 No.
The boys from Nimtar JHS got medals in three different categories that were butterfly 50 meters, freestyle and relay.
The teacher at Nimtar JHS who is a state level swimmer herself and instrumental in bringing out these talents from the grass root spoke to NOW! today and expressed her happiness on how the team had performed against all odds.
“I always believed that these children had it in them to be top level competitors. It definitely was a challenge to constitute the team, convince many people and keep up the spirit while training as we had to do everything ourselves. The students are so excited about their achievement and I am happy that they got the platform that they deserved,” says an ecstatic Pema Lingzepa.
She also added that she was super contended with the results since the boys got three bronze medals in the sub-junior and junior categories, “they competed with national swimmers who were double their size and showed what they were made of. All the hard work has paid off and we are confident that the medal tally would be even bigger in the upcoming events,” she expressed.
It may be mentioned that Pema also won one gold, one silver and the best woman swimmer in the championship.
“From the river to the pool, the journey has been an experience to remember and cherish. Now with our students performing I guess some sections would come up and sponsor them to join more competitions outside and also for their training. There was a point to prove and the boys have proved that they can compete with the best in the state,” she says.
