Tuesday, Aug 18, 2026 22:00 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, Aug 17, 2026 16:21 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Sikkim Rifle
Association organised a see-off programme for the Sikkim shooting team at White
Hall in Gangtok on Monday, as the State’s shooters prepare to represent Sikkim
at the 13th Northeast Zonal Championship to be held in Assam from August 25 to
31.
A total of 12 shooters will represent Sikkim at
the championship. The see-off ceremony was attended by State Sports Development
Board chairman RinzingWangyalChopel, Sports secretary Yangchen Tamang, Sikkim
Rifle Association president Sanjay Budhathoki, and other members of the
association.
Talking to the media, Sanjay Budhathoki said Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on promoting sports at the grassroots level
had been a source of inspiration for the association.
He said greater focus was being given to shooting
in Sikkim as there is no shortage of talent in the discipline and the need to
provide aspiring shooters with the right encouragement and opportunities.
“We should give them a little push, and we can
produce future medallists, but there has to be consistency,” Budhathoki said,
stressing the importance of sustained support and participation in the sport.
He also said the association was using the media
as a platform to create greater awareness about shooting and encourage more
people, particularly young athletes, to come forward and participate.
Addressing concerns among parents, Budhathoki
assured them that shooting is one of the safest sporting disciplines and can
provide children with opportunities to build a career in the sport.
He expressed gratitude to the Government of Sikkim
for its continued support towards the development and promotion of shooting in
the State and wished the team success at the upcoming championship.
Sports Board chairman RinzingWangyalChopel
congratulated the entire Sikkim Rifle Association for the significant progress
it has made within a year. He assured the association of continued support from
the state government and the Sports Department, stating that they would remain
committed to promoting and developing shooting in Sikkim.
Chopel also extended his best wishes to the
12-member Sikkim shooting team as they prepare to participate in the 13th
Northeast Zonal Championship in Assam from August 25 to 31.
Sports secretary Yangchen Tamang also extended her
best wishes to the team and wished the shooters success at the upcoming
championship.
