SAA felicitates four athletes for winning medals in NE Olympic

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK,: Sikkim Athletics Association (SAA) welcomed and felicitated four athletes of the State who bagged six medals in 2nd North East Olympic Games 2022 held at Meghalaya.
Addressing the media conference here, SAA general secretary Thupten Rapgyal Bhutia congratulated the athletes for winning the medals and lauded the performance of the Sikkimese athletes considering the tough competition.
Bhutia termed the win historic, as it is for the first time Sikkim have bagged such number of medals in NE Olympic Games.
SAA has expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister and the State government for support, cooperation met for the development of sports in the State. Bhutia informed that Reshithang academy is under upgradation and once the track is ready, the performance of the athletes will surely improve bringing more laurels to the State.
Prior to NE Olympic Games, the selection and camp was held but due to lack of proper infrastructure and field, the athletes could not practice much as required, Bhutia added. However, we are sure with the development of modern infrastructure, track, and field and with dedication of the coach, athletes we will definitely shine in future.
Talking about the future road map of SAA, Bhutia said they are holding meeting with the State coaches whereby they aim to indulge the young aspirants so that they can be groomed to perform better in years ahead and bring fame to the State.
The association also thanked Sports department and SOA for their support.
Coach R.B. Subba went on to laude the performance of the athletes of the State in the 2nd NE Olympic Games.
“The competition was tough but the medals bagged by the athletes were promising. We now need to have a chronological growth with respect to sports so that we can train our athletes and make them ready for the Olympics Games in future,” Subba added.
The winner athletes vowed to train more with dedication following the instruction of the coaches and deliver better in the future races.
The conference was also attended by SAA advisor Chung Chung Bhutia, treasurer Tashi Zangpo Bhutia and member Rajiv Roka. Gangtok SP Tenzing Loden Lepcha is the president of SAA, it was informed.
Athletes who won the medals are:
1. Manoj Biswakarma : 2 Silver Medal (1500 MT and 5000 MT)
2. Sumiran Chettri : 2 Silver Medal (200 and 400 meters run)
3. Chandrakala Sharma : 1 Silver Medal (1500 meters race)
4. Rinchen Lepcha : 1 Bronze Medal (10,000 meters race)