Mangan, December 11: Inaugural programme of “Mapping of Tribal Sports Talent” organised by Tribal Research Institute, SJ&WD,Government of Sikkim in collaboration with Sports & Youth Affairs Department, GOS and funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India was declared open by the Honourable Minster to RMDD,Ecclesiastical and Cooperation Department Shri Sonam Lama on today at Phodong, North Sikkim.

The primary objective of the program is to provide a platform to identify an innate sport talents from the tribal children in Sikkim and introspect to inculcate such talents so that these children can get an opportunity to horn their skills in a chosen games in a global stage.

The organising department, with an aim to strengthen, preserve and revive an indigenous game of Sikkim conducted “Archery” amongst the students of Phodong Monastic School where the childrens gleefully participated in the event.

Mapping of Tribal Sports Talents will subsequently be held in all the four districts of Sikkim. Tribal childrens from the age group of 11- 14 years will be encourage to participate in various discipline of sports.

The Chief Guest of the programme, Shri Sonam Lama, Minister to RMDD, Ecclesiastical and Cooperation Department appreciated the initiatives made by Tribal Research Institute, GOS and Sports and Youth Affairs Department, GOS. He encouraged all the students of Phodong Monastic School to make a regular habit to develop their potential in sports where they can also have a healthy lifestyle.

Equally, Mr. Kuber Bhandari, Secretary to Sports and Youth Affairs Department, GOS committed to include students from the Monastic School in inter school games competition from the coming academic years. Similarly, he committed to extend all possible help to endeavor “Mapping of Tribal Sports Talents “in Sikkim a grand success.

The programme also had a presence of Mr. Anand Pradhan, Project Director cum Special Secretary, SJ&WD, GOS, Senior Officers from Sports and Youth Affairs Department (Mangan and Gangtok),Officers from TRI, GOS and the local public of the area.