Sikkim to honour National Games medallists

Gangtok, Feb 23 (UNI) Sikkim government will honour the the local sportspersons, who won medals in the just concluded 33rd National Games in Guwahati.

As per the decision the gold medallists would get Rs 5 lakh, the silver medallists Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh for bronze medal winners.

Sikkim bagged total six medals-- two gold and identical number of silver and bronze in Taekwando and Karate.

While Umesh Taamang and Dina Rai won the gold in Tawekwango light weight category and Karate, Rupen Pradhan and Samjhan Thendup won silver in Taekwando and Karate respectively.

Suman Tamang and Gompu Thendup won the bronze in flyweight and welter weight category in Taekwando.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the Sikkim Olympic Association to felicitate the medal winners here last night, Minister for Sports P S Tamang said in addition to the six medals winners, two Sikkemese girls who played for host Asom and won medals --Mira Chhetri (gold) and Tshering Ogngmu Bhutia (bronze) (both in Taekwando) would also be given the cash awards.

The Minister announced to pay 25 per cent of the total award money to the coaches and the Managers to promote the sports.

Mr Tamang said the achievement of the state which participated in the National Games for the first time as a full fedged member was very satisfactory.

He said his government was giving top priority to the promotion of sports in the state.

Due to the efforts of the government the Central government had also ready sanctioned Rs 24 crore for the construction of athletic stadium at Pantham. Efforts were on to set up a khelgaon and mini stadia in all the districts.

Sikkim Olympic Association president P K Pradhan and General Secretary H D Basti also spoke on the occasion.

UNI