NAMCHI, (IPR): The 20th Elite and Youth Men’s Open and Women’s Open Boxing Championship 2024 organised by Namchi District Boxing Association (NDBA) in collaboration with Sikkim Amateur Boxing Association (SABA) concluded Tuesday.
The finale event was graced by Raj Kumari Thapa Deputy Speaker SLA as the chief guest, Satish Chandra Rai MLA Namchi-Singhithang constituency as the chief patron of the event, Anupa Tamling DC Namchi and P Wangdi Bhutia MD State Bank of Sikkim as the guests of honour and Tashi Gyalpo Bhutia as the special guest.
Also present during the event were Nim Pintso Bhutia SDM (HQ), RB Bishwakarma additional director of Sports and Youth Affairs cum SABA general secretary, Arjuna awardee Jaslal Pradhan, Dronacharya awardee Sandhiya Gurung, and B Tshering Bhutia president (NDBA), along with esteemed coaches and committee members and dignitaries from the boxing fraternity sports community.
Raj Kumari Thapa congratulated the committee members on the successful organization of the tournament and applauded the enthusiastic participation of the youth and school children. She highlighted the significant advantage Namchi holds in terms of sports facilities and infrastructure, which has catered to the aspirations of many individuals. She praised the will power and dedication of the players, expressing her joy that within such a short span of time, Namchi has produced talented athletes who has made the State proud on national and international platforms. She urged the committee members to bring in more expert and coaches to assist children willing to pursue sports as a profession.
Raj Kumari Thapa also emphasized the invaluable benefits of sports, such a fostering self- discipline, social development and a sense of belonging, which instils a deeper sense of responsibility. She acknowledged the challenges on the path to success but encouraged everyone, especially the youth to preserve and never give up on their dreams. She further called upon every individual to work collectively towards making Sikkim as ‘Sunaulo Ani Samriddha Sikkim’ and to support to the cause of ‘Nasha Mukt Sikkim’.
Satish Chandra Rai, in his address, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organizers and the people of Namchi for their efforts in making the event a grand success. He attributed the success and growth of sports in the region to the unwavering support and dedication to the Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay, who has shown remarkable commitment in promoting sports and activity. He emphasised the Chief Minister’s visionary approach to encourage and support the youth of Sikkim to excel at national and international platforms, fostering a culture of excellence and determination. He also remarked that the true spirit of games and sports can only be understood by someone who has incorporated sports into their lives.
The day unfolded with enthusiastic participation and thrilling bouts from the finalists, showcasing a phenomenal spirit of sportsmanship and dedication. The matches were a testament to the athlete’s skill and perseverance, leaving the audience captivated. Later in the day, tokens of appreciation were distributed to the esteemed coaches and committee members by the ghief guest in recognition of their efforts and contributions. This was followed by the much- awaited announcement of the winners of the tournament in both the Elite women's and men’s category.