Rehabs take to the field to kick away misconceptions

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 07 May: With the aim to generate awareness amongst the masses regarding drug users, a football match between four rehabilitation centres namely Serenity Home [lower Burtuk], Sikkim Rehab 32 Mile, Jagriti [lower Sichey], Mirakai Rehab Centre, Aho [Pakyong], was held today at the Guard’s Ground, Tathangchen.
The match was supported by Nayuma Entertainment Private Limited and West Point School. The match was attended by General Manager Nayuma Entertainment Private Limited, Gajendra Ghalay and the Principal, West Point school.
In the first match, Sikkim Rehab 32 Mile defeated Mirakai Rehab Pakyong by 5 goals while in the second match Jagriti Lower Sichey defeated Serenity Home by 6 goals. The final match was played between Sikkim Rehab 32 Mile and Jagriti Lower Sichey in which the former emerged as the winners.
Team leader of Mirakai Rehab Centre and mentor of HOPE foundation, KC Nima said that if these drug users are taken into confidence and given opportunities to show their creative potential then they would not betray the trust. He also supported his statement with a few examples.
He further added that  a team ‘Rehab Boys’ will also participate in the 15th August football tournament, supported by Nayuma Entertainment Private Limited.
One of the workers of Jagriti Lower Sichey, Namgyal Lepcha expressed that it is sad that the society looks down on drug users and stated these drug abusers can also be good and able human beings if given a chance.
Likewise, another chemical dependent boy from Sikkim Rehab centre, Rabin Rai said “We have been neglected by the society and people also say that we are not capable of doing things which is totally wrong. Today we have become clean and can do a lot of work”.