Sikkim Karatekas to participate in Senior Nationals

GANGTOK, 13 Dec: A ten-member team of the Sikkim State Karate Do Association, accompanied by coach Bidhan Bhallav Subba and team manager, Hiyahang Subba, will be leaving on 16 Dec for the 24th National Senior Karate Championship 2011 to be held at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi from 20 to 21 December, informs a press release.

The championship is being organized by the Delhi Karate Do-Association under the banner of All India Karate-Do Federation. The selected players have undergone rigorous training for a month under the guidance of the Chief Technical Director, Ranchi, Bidhan Subba, the release mentions.
The men’s team comprises of Buddha Bir Manger [50 kgs], Binam Gurung [55 kgs], Khagendra Limbu [60 kgs], Bhim Subba [67 kgs], 1st Battalion IRB, Bijoy Gurung [74 kgs], and 1st Battalion IRB, Prem Bdr.Thapa [84 kgs]. The women’s team has Mandira Karki [45 kgs], Smita Rai [50 kgs], Susmita Rai [55 kgs], and Hem Kumari Rai [68 kgs].
Players who perform well at the national championship will go on to participate in the World Karate Championship (World Cup) in Japan in 2012.
The Sikkim State Karate Do Association was established in 1988 and was later officially registered as a full-fledged sports association in 1995. The release further mentions that till today the Sikkim State Karate Do Association has bagged 230 medals in the North East Games, National Championship, National Games and at international events.
In the recent 34th National Games, 2011 held in Jharkhand, Ranchi, Karate was the only sport that fetched a gold medal for the State. Unfortunately, not a single Karate player has been awarded with any cash incentive by the concerned Department, the release rues.