Northeast Desk, 1st March: Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang inaugurated the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence at Khelgaon, Reshithang near Gangtok, marking a significant milestone in Sikkim’s sports development efforts.
The inauguration ceremony also included the unveiling of the newly replaced synthetic track & field, archery field, and boxing arena, alongside the upgrading of existing infrastructure within the sports complex.
The event featured various activities, including an archery demonstration, the flag-off of the inaugural train on the athletic track, and an inspection of the Centre of Excellence.
During his address, Chief Minister Tamang reiterated the state government’s unwavering support for sports associations and athletes. He emphasized the need to keep sports separate from politics and encouraged sportspersons to pursue their passion professionally.
Highlighting the collaborative efforts, Chief Minister Tamang mentioned that while the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence received funding from Khelo India, the state government also contributed additional funds for infrastructure development and amenities.
Secretary of Sikkim Youth Affairs (SYA), Raju Basnet, expressed gratitude to the state government for its pro-sports policies, which have nurtured a thriving sports culture and facilitated the growth of sportspersons in the state.
During the event, technical reports were presented, and grants in aid were awarded to registered sports associations. Cash incentives were also provided to outstanding sportspersons, while NSS volunteers Rejina Tamang and Zangmu Bhutia, who represented Sikkim during the Republic Day 2024 parade, were felicitated for their contributions.