Silver Jubilee Losoong Archery tourney begins

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: Ten teams from different parts of the state are participating in the Silver Jubilee Losoong Archery Tournament 2013-14 which started today here at Archery Range, Tathangchen. The traditional archery tournament is being organized by Yargay Association of Tathangchen [YAT] to mark the festival of Losoong.
The inaugural match was played between Crouching Tiger, Tathangchen and Sichey Mavericks. Sichey Mavericks won the match by 42 to 33 points and moved to the next round of the tournament. Now, Bayul Demazong will take on Kabi Lungstok in the next match on 17 December. The final match is scheduled to be played on 04 January.
The inaugural day of the tournament had senior citizen of Tathangchen, Mingma Tshering, as the chief guest.
YAT general secretary, Karma Sonam mentioned that YAT has been organizing this traditional archery tournament every year on the occasion of Losoong. He added that the main objective of the tournament is to preserve the traditional form of archery in Sikkim and to promote it amongst the younger generation. He has invited all the people of Sikkim to witness the matches in the tournament to encourage archers and to preserve the traditional form of archery.
Mr Sonam mentioned that this year being the silver jubilee year of the tournament, there are some added features like the Mini Olympic for children at Guards Ground on 26 December along with a veterans football match, tug of war and other activities. He further added that the inaugural ceremony was to celebrate the silver jubilee in a grand manner but was toned down owing to the loss of life and damages that the state has sustained in last night’s windstorm.

Open FITA/ Indian Round Archery Tournament on 26-27 Oct

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Sikkim Himalayan Sporting Club [SHSC] has announced plans to organize an Open FITA/ Indian Round Archery Tournament here at Tenzing Namgyal Memorial Ground [erstwhile Guards Ground] on 26 and 27 October. More than 30 archers from different parts of the state will be taking part in this two-day tournament.
SHSC publicity secretary, Zigmi Y Lepcha, who is also the State Chief Archery Coach, informs that archers from all four districts will be taking part in the events of Indian Round, Recurve and Compound of the tournament.
Speaking on the objective of the tournament, the SHSC president, Tenzing Lamtha stated that being a sporting club, SHSC wants to promote modern archery as a sport in which local youngsters can excel and build a career. He further added that the main objective of the tournament is to encourage local children by providing a state-level platform and exposure.
To create awareness on modern archery the club has also invited students from Enchey SSS, Modern SS, West Point SSS and Tathangchen SSS. This event also seeks to support the initiative of the Sports Department and Sikkim Archery Association to promote and develop archery in the state, he informed.
Mr. Lamtha added that after its formal registration recently, the club has organized Tiger Five Football Tournament and will continue to host such sporting activities and provide coaching for local children in other disciplines too.
Organizing committee president, Dadul Bhutia invited all to witness the tournament to encourage and motivate local archers on both the days.
The tournament is scheduled to be inaugurated by Princess Hope Leezum Namgyal as the chief guest, who will be accompanied by the Speaker, KT Gyaltsen, who is also the area MLA, as the guest of honour.

Kabi Lungchok wins Late Thakpa Dorji Memorial Archery Tournament

GANGTOK, 22 Sept: Kabi Lungchok has become the champion of the 1st Late Thakpa Dorji Memorial Archery Tournament 2013 held here at the archery field in Tathangchen. In a nail-biting final match played today, Kabi Lungchok defeated Sichey Mavericks with a very close score line of 30-28.
The final match had Speaker KT Gyaltsen as the chief guest.
Karma Loday Namgyal of Crouching Tigers was adjudged the Man of the Tournament for his 34 targets. He also bagged the trophy for Highest Thupji for his 7 Thupjis in the tournament.
Sonam Tshering of Beyul Demazong received the Highest Bulls-Eye, while Tenzing Bhutia was declared the Man of the Match.
The tournament was organized by a Tathangchen-based archery team, Beyul Demazong, and was supported by the family of Late Thakpa Dorji. A total of 10 teams from in-and-around Gangtok had taken part in the tournament.
The winners and runner-up teams were awarded with cash prizes along with trophies.