EMRS Gangyap’s golden run continues in Northeast

BIJOY GURUNG

Remote West Sikkim school sweeps three girls’ titles at CBSE basketball championship

GANGTOK,: From a remote corner of West Sikkim to the top of the Northeastern basketball circuit, EMRS Gangyap continued its remarkable dominance on the court, sweeping all three girls’ titles at the CBSE Cluster 1 (North East Region) Basketball Championship 2026 in Guwahati.

Hailing from Gangyap, a remote location in West Sikkim, EMRS Gangyap emerged champions in the Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 girls’ categories at the three-day championship held at Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati, from August 7 to 9.

The feat was particularly significant in the Under-19 category, where the EMRS Gangyap girls have remained unbeaten since 2010 in the Northeastern leg of the annual CBSE basketball championship. Their 2026 triumph marked their 15th consecutive gold medal in the category.

Captained by TsomulaBhutia, the EMRS Gangyap Under-19 team produced a dominant performance in the final, brushing aside St. Francis De Sales, Guwahati, 51-16.

The title-winning team comprised TsomulaBhutia, DeepshikhaSubba, AnelaBhutia, Angela Bhutia, EdenlaBhutia, MinumaLimboo, RikilaBhutia, Ayestya Lepcha, AmeeksoLimboo and SangayDomaBhutia.

EMRS Gangyap’s dominance continued in the Under-14 girls’ category, where the team secured its third consecutive gold medal since the category was introduced in 2024. The Sikkim side thrashed Little Flower School, Assam, 36-04 in the final.

The team was led by Yangden Lepcha and EshaSubba, with Norip Lepcha, AamimaLimboo, ThinleyZangmulaBhutia, TenzingDarkey Lepcha, Leeaom Lepcha, SiphoraBhutia, DawaCheakiBhutia, Anna Limboo, ArungmaLimboo and DawaLhamuBhutia completing the squad.

The Under-17 girls’ category was introduced in the tournament for the first time this year, and EMRS Gangyap made history by claiming the inaugural gold medal.

After comfortably getting past four opponents in the earlier rounds, the Gangyap girls faced a tougher challenge from St. Xavier’s School, Assam, in the final. They held their nerve to register a 28-17 victory and clinch the title.

The Under-17 team was led by Anumit Lepcha and included NunamPhungLimboo, Elemit Lepcha, PhungnamLimboo, SamikchaTamang, AhistaLimboo, AnushkaLimboo, AlvinaLimboo, Phurzay Lepcha, AnytraLimboo, Edenla Lepcha and TenzingDomaBhutia.

The EMRS Gangyap boys, however, narrowly missed out on a place in the semifinals after suffering a narrow 35-37 defeat to St. Francis De Sales, Guwahati, in the quarterfinals. The Guwahati side went on to win the championship.

The three EMRS Gangyap teams were coached by SidharthYonzone, assisted by Pem C. Lepcha and Tshogyal Dolma Bhutia. Namgyal Sherpa and Rinku served as team managers.

EMRS Gangyap players also swept the individual honours, with TsomulaBhutia named Best Player in the Under-19 category, NunamPhungLimboo receiving the honour in Under-17, and EshaLimboo being adjudged Best Player in Under-14.

A total of 123 teams representing 58 schools from almost all the Northeastern states participated in the three-day championship. The opening ceremony was attended by the Regional Officer, CBSE Guwahati, as the chief guest, along with the principal of the host school.

The EMRS Gangyap basketball teams and management expressed their gratitude to the Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, for continued support to the school’s basketball programmes and events. They also thanked the District Magistrate of Gyalshing District, the parents of the players and the entire EMRS Gangyap family for their support.

Key Milestones

15th consecutive gold | Under-19 Girls

The team clinched its 15th straight gold and has remained unbeaten in the CBSE Northeast championship since 2010.

3rd consecutive gold | Under-14 Girls

The team secured its third straight gold since the Under-14 category was introduced in 2024.

Inaugural gold | Under-17 Girls

The team won the inaugural Under-17 girls’ title in the first year of the category’s inclusion in the tournament.