Team Sikkim welcomed by Sports Dept

‘Good camp, team work led to Dr. T Ao Cup success’

DICHENONGMU
GANGTOK: Team Sikkim, who won the runners up trophy at Dr. T Ao Cup football tournament 2020, was on Friday morning welcomed and congratulated by the Sports department here at Paljor Stadium.
Sikkim had lost the final of Dr. T. Ao Cup against Mizoram 1-0 on Tuesday evening at Kohima, Nagaland. They received the runners up trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 6 lakh.
Sikkim goalkeeper UrgenPintso Sherpa received the ‘best goalkeeper’ award at the tournament while KilpNamgyalBarfungpa was adjudged as the ‘best midfielder’.
The reception of Sikkim team was held during the closing ceremony of the winter coaching camp at Paljor Stadium attended by Forest minister Karma Loday Bhutia, Chief Minister’s political secretary Jacob Khaling, Sports secretary KuberBhandariand others.
Sikkim team coach-player MayalDok Lepcha shared his experiences of Dr. T. Ao Cup with SIKKIM EXPRESS.
“Our players performed really well throughout the tournament. We were morally and technically motivated with every match we played. However due to bad luck we could not bring back the winning trophy home”, said MayalDok. He thanked the Sports department of Sikkim government for a well-organised camp before the tournament that kept the entire team motivated and fit.
Sikkim team manager ArjunRaithanked the Sports department for building a strong State team this time. He congratulated the squad for their brilliant performance and good discipline throughout the tournament which helped Sikkim to reach the final.
Rai stressed on the new system initiated byDonivRai,OSD, Sports department in terms of discipline and co-ordination between the players.Such good changes are important for the sportspersons to succeed in their respective fields, he said.
UrgenPintso Sherpa mentioned that the ‘best goalkeeper’ award was a great motivator for him. It greatly motivated me since I was playing in Dr. T. Ao Cup for the first time, he said.
“I am really proud to bag the award for my State. I am thankful to the Sports department for bringing in positive changes and supporting the sportspersons. If the department continues with such initiatives then I am confident that the upcoming sportspersons won’t fear taking it as a career rather than a mere hobby”, said UrgenPintso.