State cash incentive given to 136 sportspersons

ISABELLA GURUNG
GANGTOK: The State government today presented cash incentives to 136 meritorious sportspersons of Sikkim who have won laurels in their respective sport disciplines by representing Sikkim at the zonal, national and international levels.
Among the recipients, four sportspersons were already presented with cash incentives during the National Sports Day celebration held recently, and the remaining 132 were awarded at a ceremony organized by Sports & Youth Affairs department at Chintan Bhawan here.
A total amount of Rs. 32 lakh was distributed as cash incentives, it was informed.
The cash incentive distribution ceremony was attended by Sports minister Kunga Nima Lepcha as the chief guest.
The Sports minister congratulated the awardees for making the State proud through their hard work and dedication.
“The incentive amount may be small, but the main aim of the State government is to express gratitude to the sportspersons for winning laurels in their respective sport disciplines. The decision for the incentive award was notified by the State government during February 2014, but unfortunately the distribution was delayed,” expressed Lepcha.
“The State Sports department was a miniscule department earlier, but is no more an insignificant department. The existence of the department is important, because it is not just about sports but about healthy living and lifestyle as well,” he added.
Lepcha urged the sportspersons to be determined and committed towards sports and keep making the State proud through their achievements. He urged them to take sports seriously and as a career opportunity in the long run.  
The minister also informed that the State government has sanctioned funds to improve the quality of playgrounds in schools and construct new ones in schools with no playgrounds. He also urged the parents of budding sports enthusiasts to fully support their wards.
Sports secretary Raju Basnet informed that the cash incentive is a meritorious recognition for the hard work and commitment of the sportspersons.
The event was also attended by Sports additional director Doma Tshering, chairperson Chung Chung Bhutia and Arjuna awardee Jaslal Pradhan.