Sikkim Olympic Association readies 25-member contingent for National Games

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 06 Feb: A 25-member contingent, comprising of Karate-kas, Taekwondo martial artists and boxers representing Sikkim, is all set to leave for the 34th National Games to be held in Jharkhand from 12 to 26 February, informed the Sikkim Olympic Association president, PK Pradhan, while addressing a press conference here today.
The 25-member Sikkim squad includes 4 officials and while the Karate and Taekwondo events will be held in Ranchi, the boxing matches will be fought at Jamshedpur, the other venue for the National Games.
With the martial arts set to be played from 13 to 15 February, these teams and accompanying officials will be leaving for Jharkhand on 08 Feb while the boxing team will join them later on 15 February [the boxing matches are scheduled from 20 to 25 February].
“Due to certain circumstances we do not have an archery team and because we have not qualified even once in football till now, we do not have a football team representing the State in the National Games,” Mr. Pradhan added.
He also shared that Sikkim has done quite well in the National Games thus far in terms of medals even though the State fields a smaller contingent as compared to other states. In the 33rd National Games held in Assam in 2007, Sikkim had won 6 medals [two gold, two silver and two bronze].
HT Basi [general secretary, SOA], in turn, informed that more players from Sikkim need to participate in various national level championships to come in the top-8 rankings if they are to qualify for the National Games. The position holders in the National Games then receive the opportunity to play for the country, he informed.
“Till now our players have been doing well in just the three disciplines of Karate, Taekwondo and boxing and are qualifying in the top-8 at the national level, thus being able to participate in the National Games,” he explained.
The final target for any association, department or club should be to take part in the National Games, he stressed.
The 25 member contingent leaving for the 34th National Games has PK Pradhan [president, SOA], HT Basi [Chef-de-Mission], Aswin Oberoi [treasurer, SOA] and Dr. Passang Phempo [Medical Commissioner].
The team list for Karate is: Bidan Subba [Coach], Arjun Rai [Team Official], Mongol Kumar Rai [Manager], Suju Gurung, Hem Kumari Rai, Sukraj Mangar and Dichen Lepcha [Sportspersons].
For Taekwondo- Trilok Subba [Coach], Dawa Tamang [Manager], Sabina Sundas, Naksum Bhutia, Pempa Doma Tamang, Binny Tamang, Meera Chettri and Tshering Ongmu Bhutia.
Boxing- Sarkey Subba [Coach], Meena Pradhan [Manager], Priti Gurung, Usha Rai, Madan Rai and Ongyal Sherpa [Sportspersons].