Mangan hosts 39th Foundation Day Celebration of Sikkim Cricket Association

MANGAN, (IPR): The 39th Foundation Day of the Sikkim Cricket Association, Mangan (SICA) was celebrated Friday with great enthusiasm and grandeur at Mangan Public Ground in collaboration with the Mangan District Cricket Committee.

Minister for Social Welfare-cum-Area MLA, Lachen-Mangan, Samdup Lepcha attended the programme as the chief guest, while Mangan DC Anant Jain and Mangan SP LB Chettri graced the occasion as special guests. Also present were Medicinal Plants Board chairman Tshering Gyatso Lachenpa, Tourism chairman Sonam Norgay Lachungpa, heads of departments, SDM Mangan, BDOs, councillors, OSDs, officials from various departments, other guests and invitees, members of the organising committee and students from different schools.

The programme commenced with a warm welcome accorded to the dignitaries through traditional khada and bouquet presentations by the District Committee. Adding colour and significance to the celebration, the chief guest, Samdup Lepcha ceremonially released balloons and pigeons, symbolising peace, unity and prosperity.

The welcome address was delivered by SICA secretary Nayan Bhutia, who highlighted the journey and achievements of the association over the years. He also acknowledged the contribution of players, officials and supporters in strengthening the cricketing culture in Sikkim.

As part of the celebration, posthumous felicitations were presented in honour of individuals who had significantly contributed towards the promotion of cricket in the State. Coaches’ certificates were distributed, while champions blazers and certificates were presented to the Sikkim Senior Women’s T20 Team 2026 for their commendable achievement. A special citation was also conferred upon the runners-up team of the BCCI Domestic Season 2025–26 in recognition of their remarkable performance.

During the event, various SICA awards were presented to deserving cricketers in different categories for their outstanding contribution and excellence in the field of cricket. Cricket gears were also distributed to participating schools with an aim to encourage budding players and further strengthen grassroots level sports development in the district.

The celebration also featured a thrilling T20 exhibition cricket match between SICA XI and DC XI, with DC XI emerging victorious by 31 runs. The exciting encounter kept the spectators on the edge of their seats, drawing loud cheers and enthusiastic support from the crowd gathered at the venue.

Addressing the gathering, Samdup Lepcha appreciated the efforts of SICA in promoting cricket and nurturing young talent in the region. He expressed that he was highly impressed with the well-organised programme and the enthusiasm shown by the participants.

He encouraged the youngsters to make the best use of such platforms and work hard with dedication and discipline to achieve success in life. He further stated that sports not only helps in maintaining physical fitness but also teaches important values such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. He urged the youth to stay focused on their goals and continue striving towards excellence while bringing pride to the district and the State.

This was followed by an address by SICA president Tika Subba, who highlighted the association’s efforts towards promoting cricket and encouraging young talent in the State. He thanked all the dignitaries, supporters and participants for their continuous support.

SICA also distributed cricket kits to 23 schools across Mangan District to encourage and support budding cricketers at the grassroots level.

It is to be mentioned that Mangan District Administration, under the initiative of District Collector Anant Jain, has recently built one cricket pitch at Mangan Public Ground to encourage and support budding cricketers in the district. One more pitch is proposed to be built in the same premise for net practice. Additionally, the office of the District Collector also provided the pitch mat to SICA for organising matches.

The programme was further enlivened with vibrant cultural performances presented by the Culture department in collaboration with Denzong Lughag Sungkyob Tsogpa (DLST). Traditional Yak Dance performances, cultural presentations by students from various schools of Mangan District and an impressive Pipe Band display by North Sikkim Academy added charm and festive spirit to the occasion.

The event witnessed the participation of sports enthusiasts, dignitaries, students and members of the public, reflecting the growing spirit of cricket and youth engagement in the State. The event also featured a lucky draw, wherein the winners received a cricket kit each.

The foundation day celebration concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the joint secretary of Mangan District Cricket Committee Rajesh Pandey.