1st Sikkim Government Inter-College Futsal Tournament to kick-off on Sep 13

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK, : Ten government colleges from across Sikkim are competing in the 1^st Sikkim Government Inter-College Futsal Tournament being organised by SKM Students Wing in collaboration with Futsal Association of Sikkim (FAS).

The four-day competition kicks off at GMC Futsal Arena, Deorali here on September 13 with the final scheduled on September 16, informed the organisers at a press meet here.

SKM Students Wing vice president (in-charge) Aditya Golayon Thursday released the tournament’s poster and promo video along with SKM Students Wing president TsheringWangchukLepcha, FAS president Dr.ThakelaBhutia, and office-bearers of the two organisations.

Addressing the media, Aditya Golay (also the Soreng-Chakung MLA) shared that the SKM Students Wing, as directed by Chief Minister PS Golay, has always endeavoured to engage the students in productive and meaningful activities. He highlighted the highly successful literature and arts festivals organised by the SKM Students Wing under the ‘Read & Grow’ campaign in the past.

Our Chief Minister has always supported youth-oriented activities and under his leadership, we are proud to organise the first-ever Sikkim government inter-college futsal tournament and we plan to make it an annual event, said Aditya. He assured that the private colleges and universities in Sikkim would be included in the next edition of this tournament, provided they are interested.

He thanked the FAS for their technical collaboration so that the tournament adheres to the international-level rules and regulations.

Aditya added that the tournament also aims to promote and spread awareness on three key missions – Healthy Sikkim, NashaMukt Sikkim &NashaMukt Bharat, and HIV-free Sikkim.

SKM Students Wing president TsheringWangchukLepcha highlighted that Chief Minister PS Golay always encourages the youth of Sikkim towards sports and healthy activities. He added that the futsal tournament is being held as per the Chief Minister’s vision to develop sports culture in Sikkim.

The response for this tournament was excellent with all the government colleges eagerly coming forward to register and participate, said TsheringWangchukLepcha, also the Chief Minister’s additional political secretary (Gangtok district).

FAS president Dr.ThakelaBhutia and general secretary Nishant Das Rai shared the technical aspects of the tournament, adding that futsal is gradually becoming popular across Sikkim.

The tournament uses a knockout format, with each match scheduled for 40 minutes.