Sunday, Feb 01, 2026 21:45 [IST]
Last Update: Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 16:05 [IST]
GANGTOK,: A month-long Winter Sports Coaching Camp 2026, held under the theme “Nurturing Young Talent – Building Champions for Tomorrow” at Paljor Stadium, concluded successfully. The coaching camp, which commenced on 5th January 2026, was organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
The closing ceremony was graced by Minister for Education, Sports and Youth Affairs, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Raju Basnet, as the chief guest, while the chairperson of the State Sports Development Board, Rinzing Wangyal Chopel, attended as the guest of honour.
The Winter Sports Coaching Camp 2026 is a regular coaching programme that has been conducted continuously for the past 15 years and the coaches have been initiating the camp on voluntary basis. The camp witnessed participation from six districts and covered 13 sports disciplines, namely Athletics, Archery, Boxing, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Karate, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Wushu, Yoga, and Zumba.
A total of 1,450 students participated in the camp, guided by 17 resource persons, out of which 10 were freelance resource persons. Licensed and certified coaches were present.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Raju Basnet emphasised that sports play a vital role in leading a healthy and fit life. He urged all participating children to continue the training they received during the camp in the days ahead. He further stated that those attending the camp are already awakened to the importance of sports discipline and appealed to all to maintain continuity in sporting activities. He highlighted that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Sikkim is actively fostering the field of sports, and all possible help and assistance are being extended to sports personalities and professionals.
The Minister expressed hope that more youth would take up sports, carry forward sporting activities, and bring laurels to the State and the nation.
The main motive of the department is not only limited to the coaching camp. The children are assessed, and reports are provided to their parents according to their performance. Those children who are promising in sports are identified and pushed forward.
It was mentioned that the Government of India’s initiative aims to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036. Children from the age of 6–7 years are being groomed from today so that in the 2036 Olympics, some of them can represent Sikkim, and they will try their best.
Earlier, joint director (Coaching) Jigme Y. Lepcha delivered the welcome address whereas deputy director (Coaching) Basant Pradhan made a brief presentation on the winter sports coaching camp held.
The participants, along with the coaches, performed demonstrations in different sports. The programme concluded with the felicitation of the coaches and the students who performed well during their coaching. All the participants were provided with participating certificates.
