Press Release
Press Release from Sikkim Rifle Association, Gangtok
Information & Public Relations Department
SIKKIM RIFLE ASSOCIATION IN COLLABORATION WITH SIKKIM POLICE ORGANISES SIKKIM POLICE, IRBn & ARMED POLICE SHOOTING TALENT HUNT AT SRPA
Gangtok, 12 September 2026: The Sikkim Rifle Association (SRA), in collaboration with Sikkim Police, successfully organised the Sikkim Police, IRBn & Armed Police Shooting Talent Hunt Competition at the Sikkim Rifle & Pistol Academy (SRPA), Tadong, Gangtok, on 12 September 2026.
The talent hunt was organised with the objective of identifying, encouraging and nurturing promising shooting talent among personnel of Sikkim Police, India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) and Sikkim Armed Police (SAP). A total of 25 shooters from different police and armed police units participated in the competition and demonstrated their shooting skills, discipline and competitive spirit.
The initiative was conducted through the collaborative efforts and support of Shri Akshay Sachdeva, IPS, Director General of Police, Sikkim, whose encouragement towards sporting activities and talent identification among police personnel provided significant impetus to the programme. The Sikkim Rifle Association expressed its appreciation for the support and cooperation extended by the Sikkim Police leadership in making the talent hunt a success.
The event provided an important platform to identify hidden and promising shooting talent within the uniformed services of the State and to encourage personnel with an interest and aptitude for competitive shooting.
Statement from the President
Shri Sanjay Budhathoki, President, Sikkim Rifle Association, appreciated the enthusiastic participation of all the shooters and stated that the Association feels fortunate to have discovered such promising shooting talent through this initiative.
He said that the SRA remains committed to providing proper training, technical guidance and competitive opportunities to talented shooters so that they can progress towards State, North East Zonal and National-level competitions.
Shri Budhathoki also expressed his gratitude to DGP Shri Akshay Sachdeva, IPS, and the Sikkim Police leadership for their encouragement and collaborative support in promoting shooting sports among police and armed police personnel.
RESULTS
1st Position: Lance Naik Pempa Tshering Lepcha – 1st IRBn, Delhi
2nd Position: Bharat Gurung – Namchi Police Station
3rd Position: M. Som Raj Subba – Sikkim Armed Police (SAP), Pangthang
Lance Naik Pempa Tshering Lepcha of 1st IRBn, Delhi, emerged as the winner of the talent hunt, securing the 1st Position with an impressive performance. Bharat Gurung of Namchi Police secured the 2nd Position, while M. Som Raj Subba of Sikkim Armed Police, Pangthang, secured the 3rd Position.
The Sikkim Rifle Association congratulated all the winners and appreciated all 25 participating shooters for their dedication, discipline and sporting spirit. The Association stated that the performance of the participants reflects the considerable potential for shooting sports among police and armed police personnel.
Shri Sanjay Budhathoki further emphasised that such talent-identification programmes can play an important role in creating a stronger pool of shooters within the State. With systematic training and regular competitive exposure, promising personnel can be encouraged to participate in higher-level shooting competitions and potentially represent Sikkim at the national level.
The Sikkim Rifle Association also expressed its sincere gratitude to DGP Shri Akshay Sachdeva, IPS, and Sikkim Police for their cooperation, encouragement and support in conducting the talent hunt. The Association stated that continued collaboration between Sikkim Police and SRA will help strengthen shooting sports, promote sporting excellence and provide greater opportunities for talented personnel in the future.
The successful conduct of the Sikkim Police, IRBn & Armed Police Shooting Talent Hunt marks another significant step towards identifying new shooting talent in Sikkim and strengthening the development of competitive shooting in the State.
Gangtok, 12 September 2026: The Sikkim Rifle Association (SRA), in collaboration with Sikkim Police, successfully organised the Sikkim Police, IRBn & Armed Police Shooting Talent Hunt Competition at the Sikkim Rifle & Pistol Academy (SRPA), Tadong, Gangtok, on 12 September 2026.
The talent hunt was organised with the objective of identifying, encouraging and nurturing promising shooting talent among personnel of Sikkim Police, India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) and Sikkim Armed Police (SAP). A total of 25 shooters from different police and armed police units participated in the competition and demonstrated their shooting skills, discipline and competitive spirit.
The initiative was conducted through the collaborative efforts and support of Shri Akshay Sachdeva, IPS, Director General of Police, Sikkim, whose encouragement towards sporting activities and talent identification among police personnel provided significant impetus to the programme. The Sikkim Rifle Association expressed its appreciation for the support and cooperation extended by the Sikkim Police leadership in making the talent hunt a success.
The event provided an important platform to identify hidden and promising shooting talent within the uniformed services of the State and to encourage personnel with an interest and aptitude for competitive shooting.
Statement from the President
Shri Sanjay Budhathoki, President, Sikkim Rifle Association, appreciated the enthusiastic participation of all the shooters and stated that the Association feels fortunate to have discovered such promising shooting talent through this initiative.
He said that the SRA remains committed to providing proper training, technical guidance and competitive opportunities to talented shooters so that they can progress towards State, North East Zonal and National-level competitions.
Shri Budhathoki also expressed his gratitude to DGP Shri Akshay Sachdeva, IPS, and the Sikkim Police leadership for their encouragement and collaborative support in promoting shooting sports among police and armed police personnel.
RESULTS
1st Position: Lance Naik Pempa Tshering Lepcha – 1st IRBn, Delhi
2nd Position: Bharat Gurung – Namchi Police Station
3rd Position: M. Som Raj Subba – Sikkim Armed Police (SAP), Pangthang
Lance Naik Pempa Tshering Lepcha of 1st IRBn, Delhi, emerged as the winner of the talent hunt, securing the 1st Position with an impressive performance. Bharat Gurung of Namchi Police secured the 2nd Position, while M. Som Raj Subba of Sikkim Armed Police, Pangthang, secured the 3rd Position.
The Sikkim Rifle Association congratulated all the winners and appreciated all 25 participating shooters for their dedication, discipline and sporting spirit. The Association stated that the performance of the participants reflects the considerable potential for shooting sports among police and armed police personnel.
Shri Sanjay Budhathoki further emphasised that such talent-identification programmes can play an important role in creating a stronger pool of shooters within the State. With systematic training and regular competitive exposure, promising personnel can be encouraged to participate in higher-level shooting competitions and potentially represent Sikkim at the national level.
The Sikkim Rifle Association also expressed its sincere gratitude to DGP Shri Akshay Sachdeva, IPS, and Sikkim Police for their cooperation, encouragement and support in conducting the talent hunt. The Association stated that continued collaboration between Sikkim Police and SRA will help strengthen shooting sports, promote sporting excellence and provide greater opportunities for talented personnel in the future.
The successful conduct of the Sikkim Police, IRBn & Armed Police Shooting Talent Hunt marks another significant step towards identifying new shooting talent in Sikkim and strengthening the development of competitive shooting in the State.
