Sunday, Jul 19, 2026 10:15 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, Jul 19, 2026 04:44 [IST]
GANGTOK,: The Sikkim Pencak Silat Association (SPSA) on Saturday organised a
felicitation programme at the conference hall, Palzor Stadium here to honour
athletes, coaches and managers who represented the State at the 14th
Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior National Pencak Silat Championships 2026.
The
programme was graced by Sikkim Olympic Association president C. Zangpo Bhutia
as the chief guest, while R.B. Biswakarma, director of Sports and Youth Affairs
department, Government of Sikkim, attended as the guest of honour. The special
guests included Phurba Sherpa, general secretary of the Sikkim Football
Association, and Bijoy Gurung, president of the Sikkim Karate-Do Association.
The
association fielded a contingent of 16 athletes, two coaches and one manager at
the 14th Sub-Junior and Junior National Pencak Silat Championships held in
Nashik, Maharashtra, from June 25 to 28.
For
the 14th Senior National Pencak Silat Championships, held in Shillong,
Meghalaya, from July 5 to 8, Sikkim was represented by 12 athletes, one coach
and one manager.
Sikkim
athletes delivered an impressive performance, winning a total of five bronze
medals across the sub-junior and senior categories. In the senior category,
Nichal Rai secured a bronze medal in the Men's Tanding (60–65 kg) event.
The
sub-junior bronze medallists were Simran Rai, Pre-Teen Tanding (38–40 kg); Bishesana
Majhi – Pre-Teen Tanding (36–39 kg); Nitisha Pradhan – Pre-Teen Tanding (28–30
kg); and Anudeep Watsa Sharma – Pre-Teen Tanding (36–39 kg).
During
the felicitation ceremony, the chief guest, guest of honour and special guests
presented medals and mementoes to the medal winners. Coaches and managers were
also honoured in recognition of their dedication and guidance to the State
teams.
The
association further announced that six Sikkim athletes have qualified for the
3rd Khelo India Beach Games 2027, scheduled to be held in the first week of
January 2027, based on their performances at the national championships.
Addressing
the gathering, chief guest C. Zangpo Bhutia and guest of honour R.B. Biswakarma
congratulated the athletes on their achievements and encouraged them to
continue working hard to bring greater laurels to Sikkim and the country.
Speaking
on the occasion, SPSA general secretary-cum-founder Bhim Bahadur Subba
expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), the Government
of Sikkim, the Sikkim Olympic Association, the Department of Sports and Youth
Affairs, the State Sports Development Board, and its chairman Rinzing Wangyal
Chopel for their continued support in promoting Pencak Silat in the State.
Highlighting
the rapid progress of the sport, Subba said that within just two years of the
association's formation, two Sikkim Pencak Silat athletes had secured
appointments in the Assam Rifles, describing it as a proud moment for the State
and a significant achievement for Sikkim's sporting community.
