Tuesday, Oct 03, 2023 09:00 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Oct 03, 2023 03:24 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Chief Minister PS Tamang attended the finale of ‘Sikkim Urja Limited Sikkim Premier Badminton League 2023’ at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok on October 1. The league was organised by Badminton Association Sikkim (BAS).
Le Classic Vintuna won the Sikkim Urja Limited SPBL 2023.
The Chief Minister handed over the winner’s trophy to the winning team along with medals, badminton kit and a memento.
The winners received a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh, while the runners up Buddha Acers received Rs. 3 lakh.
The finale was attended by Cabinet ministers along with political secretary to the Chief Minister, deputy mayor, and president and general secretaries of SOA, BAS and SICA.
The league had participation of six teams, namely, Blue Duke Sporting Club, Buddha Acers, Tathangchen Blockers, Himalayan Shuttlers, Le Classic Vintuna and Sikkim Sporting Club.
Initially, all the six team played league matches amongst themselves and the top four advanced to the semi-finals. Buddha Acers, who finished with 18 points in the league stage, were declared league champions.
The top four teams were Buddha Acers, Himalayan Shuttlers, League Classic Vintuna and Sikkim Sporting Club.
SPBL chairman Jigmee Namgyal Bhutia informed that the league was launched in the year 2018 at district level at Jorethang with six franchises. After the second edition, the league was not held until this year due to Covid pandemic.
The league returned this year as a State-level competition and venue shifted from Jorethang to Gangtok.
“The sports in the State have been growing tremendously under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister and we approached him for the league. He immediately extended all help and support,” said Jigmee Namgyal.
Each franchise had 11 players each including three female players and a veteran player.
“The focus of the league is mostly on the budding badminton players of the State and we do emphasis on the budding talents and they play maximum games too,” the SPBL chairman added.
