News & Announcement
State-Level Kho-Kho Championship progresses on the second day at Khelgaon
Gangtok, April 4 (IPR): The 1st State-Level Kho-Kho Championship 2026, organised by the Sikkim Kho-Kho Association, continued on its second day today at Khelgaon, Reshithang, drawing enthusiastic participation from players representing various districts, schools and colleges from across the State.
The morning session of the championship was graced by the Minister for the Rural Development Department, Mr Arun Kumar Upreti, as the Chief Guest.
Among those present on the occasion were Chairperson, Urban Development Department, Ms ChungChung Bhutia; Advisor, Ayush, Mr AK Ghatani, President, Sikkim Kho-Kho Association, Mr B.K. Roka (Retd. DIG), President, Sikkim Karate Association, Mr Bidhan Balav, Joint Secretary, Sikkim Olympic Association, Mr B.B. Subba, Director, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Mr R.B. Biswakarma, along with technical officials, organisers and members of the sporting fraternity.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest expressed happiness at witnessing the enthusiastic participation of young players in what he described as a landmark occasion for the State’s sporting community.
Congratulating the young participants, technical officials, judges and guests present on the occasion, he said the championship marked a significant moment in Sikkim. He noted that the strong turnout of players, including those who had participated on the opening day and returned again, reflected the growing enthusiasm and deep interest of the State’s youth in sports.
The Chief Guest expressed appreciation to the Governor of Sikkim and Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang for their continued encouragement towards youth development and sporting activities in the State. He observed that under the present government, increasing attention has been given to creating opportunities and platforms for young people to pursue their interests in various sporting disciplines.
Encouraging the participants, he urged them to continue engaging in the sport of their choice with dedication and sincerity. He emphasised that victory should not be measured only by medals or titles, but also by the courage and determination shown by every participant who steps forward to compete.
He further remarked that every player taking part in the championship was already a winner, and advised the youth not to be disheartened by defeat, but instead to view each competition as a stepping stone towards future success. He expressed confidence in the talent and potential of Sikkim’s young athletes, stating that with continued effort and proper support, they would one day bring laurels to the State at the national and even international level, including the Olympics.
The Chief Guest also congratulated the organising committee and the Sikkim Kho-Kho Association for successfully hosting the event and for taking an important step towards promoting Kho-Kho in the State. He commended the team for putting together the programme in a well-organised manner and extended his best wishes to all the players and officials.
Earlier, the programme commenced with a welcome address by the President of the Sikkim Kho-Kho Association, Mr B.K. Roka, who warmly welcomed the dignitaries, players and guests present. In his address, he expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest for his gracious presence and support towards the promotion of sports in the State. He also highlighted that the tournament had commenced yesterday and was witnessing spirited participation from teams representing different districts and institutions.
The morning session also featured the Senior Women’s Final between Mangan District and Namchi District, which drew keen attention from spectators and added excitement to the championship proceedings. In the Senior Women’s category, Mangan District emerged as the champion, while Namchi District finished as the runner-up.
Among the individual awards, Ms Tejeswini Lambakani was adjudged the Best Defender, while Ms Priya Chettri received the award for Best Attacker for their outstanding performances during the championship.
The formal morning programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Director, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Mr R.B. Biswakarma, who thanked the Chief Guest, dignitaries, organisers, participants, officials and supporters for their presence and contribution towards the successful conduct of the event.
In the second half of the day, the championship was graced by the President of the Sikkim Olympic Association, Mr Kuber Bhandari, who attended the programme as the Chief Guest. His presence added further encouragement to the players and organisers as the championship matches progressed.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to all dignitaries, players, officials and supporters for contributing to the success of the championship and reiterated their commitment to promoting Kho-Kho and nurturing sporting talent in the State.
The championship, which commenced on April 3, continues to provide a valuable platform for young athletes to showcase their talent while strengthening the sporting culture of Sikkim. The championship will conclude tomorrow at Resithang.
The morning session of the championship was graced by the Minister for the Rural Development Department, Mr Arun Kumar Upreti, as the Chief Guest.
Among those present on the occasion were Chairperson, Urban Development Department, Ms ChungChung Bhutia; Advisor, Ayush, Mr AK Ghatani, President, Sikkim Kho-Kho Association, Mr B.K. Roka (Retd. DIG), President, Sikkim Karate Association, Mr Bidhan Balav, Joint Secretary, Sikkim Olympic Association, Mr B.B. Subba, Director, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Mr R.B. Biswakarma, along with technical officials, organisers and members of the sporting fraternity.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest expressed happiness at witnessing the enthusiastic participation of young players in what he described as a landmark occasion for the State’s sporting community.
Congratulating the young participants, technical officials, judges and guests present on the occasion, he said the championship marked a significant moment in Sikkim. He noted that the strong turnout of players, including those who had participated on the opening day and returned again, reflected the growing enthusiasm and deep interest of the State’s youth in sports.
The Chief Guest expressed appreciation to the Governor of Sikkim and Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang for their continued encouragement towards youth development and sporting activities in the State. He observed that under the present government, increasing attention has been given to creating opportunities and platforms for young people to pursue their interests in various sporting disciplines.
Encouraging the participants, he urged them to continue engaging in the sport of their choice with dedication and sincerity. He emphasised that victory should not be measured only by medals or titles, but also by the courage and determination shown by every participant who steps forward to compete.
He further remarked that every player taking part in the championship was already a winner, and advised the youth not to be disheartened by defeat, but instead to view each competition as a stepping stone towards future success. He expressed confidence in the talent and potential of Sikkim’s young athletes, stating that with continued effort and proper support, they would one day bring laurels to the State at the national and even international level, including the Olympics.
The Chief Guest also congratulated the organising committee and the Sikkim Kho-Kho Association for successfully hosting the event and for taking an important step towards promoting Kho-Kho in the State. He commended the team for putting together the programme in a well-organised manner and extended his best wishes to all the players and officials.
Earlier, the programme commenced with a welcome address by the President of the Sikkim Kho-Kho Association, Mr B.K. Roka, who warmly welcomed the dignitaries, players and guests present. In his address, he expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest for his gracious presence and support towards the promotion of sports in the State. He also highlighted that the tournament had commenced yesterday and was witnessing spirited participation from teams representing different districts and institutions.
The morning session also featured the Senior Women’s Final between Mangan District and Namchi District, which drew keen attention from spectators and added excitement to the championship proceedings. In the Senior Women’s category, Mangan District emerged as the champion, while Namchi District finished as the runner-up.
Among the individual awards, Ms Tejeswini Lambakani was adjudged the Best Defender, while Ms Priya Chettri received the award for Best Attacker for their outstanding performances during the championship.
The formal morning programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Director, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Mr R.B. Biswakarma, who thanked the Chief Guest, dignitaries, organisers, participants, officials and supporters for their presence and contribution towards the successful conduct of the event.
In the second half of the day, the championship was graced by the President of the Sikkim Olympic Association, Mr Kuber Bhandari, who attended the programme as the Chief Guest. His presence added further encouragement to the players and organisers as the championship matches progressed.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to all dignitaries, players, officials and supporters for contributing to the success of the championship and reiterated their commitment to promoting Kho-Kho and nurturing sporting talent in the State.
The championship, which commenced on April 3, continues to provide a valuable platform for young athletes to showcase their talent while strengthening the sporting culture of Sikkim. The championship will conclude tomorrow at Resithang.
