PAKYONG, (IPR): The 23rd Chief Minister's Compound Archery Gold Cup commenced
with Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, AH&VS department, and
Fisheries department cum MLA Chujachen, Puran Gurung, inaugurating the event at
Karthok Archery Field, Pakyong, today in the presence of Advisor to CM cum president,
State Archery Association, Kunga Nima Lepcha alongside MLA Gnathang Machong and
Advisor, Social Welfare department and Women, Child, Senior Citizen, and Person
with Disabilities Welfare department, cum president of the organising
committee, Pamin Lepcha; Zilla Adhakshya Pakyong District, Laden Lhamu Bhutia;
and panchayat members.
The
opening ceremony marked the commencement of the tournament, which will continue
with daily matches until April 27.
Organised
by the Pakyong District Archery Association in collaboration with the District
Administration Centre, Pakyong, the event is being held under the banner of the
‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and Nasha Mukt Sikkim’ campaign while also commemorating
the 50th year of Sikkim’s Statehood.
In
her opening address, Pamin Lepcha thanked the Chief Minister cum chief patron
of the tournament for his support, noting his encouragement towards youth participation
in the field of sports. She also expressed gratitude to MP Rajya Sabha, patron
of the tournament, for helping realise the archery academy.
Further,
she noted that the tournament is a matter of pride for Pakyong and highlighted
archery as a traditional sport rooted in Sikkim’s culture and history. She
added that it offers youth a platform to showcase talent, build confidence and
connect with others.
She
also extended her best wishes to the archers, encouraging them to compete with
honesty, discipline, and respect. She called for collective efforts to create a
drug-free, healthy, and progressive Sikkim through sports, urging everyone to
work towards making Sikkim a capable and prosperous State.
The
open knockout tournament officially commenced with a match between Druk Yargey
Todey and Dhokbu.
The
event will include various cultural dance performances, along with showcases of
traditional and endangered games such as dart competitions and kite flying, and
a display of a traditional hut.
The
tournament features 15 teams competing for the title, with the winning team set
to receive a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, while the runner-up will be awarded Rs 2
lakh.
Also
present were District Collector Pakyong, Rohan Agawane; Additional District
Collector, Sangay Gyatso Bhutia; Additional District Collector (Development),
Robin Pd Sewa; Additional Superintendent of Police, ML Pradhan; officers from
various departments under the district and the general public.
