Gangtok, August 29: Sikkim launched its three-day National Sports Day 2025 celebration on Friday at Paljor Stadium, organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs to commemorate the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, India’s legendary field hockey player. The event aimed to promote physical fitness, sports participation, and a healthy lifestyle.
Raju Basnet, Minister for Education, Sports and Youth Affairs and Law and Parliamentary Affairs, attended as Chief Guest. He received a traditional welcome with khadas and led a floral tribute to Major Dhyan Chand. Participants also took the Fit India Pledge, highlighting the importance of health, discipline, and physical well-being.
In his address, Basnet encouraged students to adopt at least one sport and dedicate an hour daily to physical activity. He emphasised that physical fitness and mental strength are essential for addressing social challenges and noted the state’s growth in sports under Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. The minister assured continued support for sportspersons and urged youth to elevate Sikkim’s sporting achievements.
Yangchen D Tamang, Secretary of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, spoke on Major Dhyan Chand’s legacy, stressing that sports foster perseverance, teamwork, and discipline. Additional Director RB Biswakarma highlighted Dhyan Chand’s contributions to India’s Olympic victories in 1928, 1932, and 1936 and outlined this year’s theme, “Sport to Promote Peaceful Societies.” He also recognised Sikkimese athletes, including Manoj Kami, Anchal Rai, Ayush Tamang, Sabina Rai, and Sapna Khanal, for their national-level accomplishments.
Day one featured felicitation of contributors to Sikkim sports: Chabi Lal Rai (sports administration), Bidhan Ballav Subba (coaching), Gyatsola Bhutia (sports promotion), and Phurba Tenpa Lachenpa (sporting achievements).
Event winners included:
One Mile Run (Girls): 1st – Sohenne Limboo, 2nd – Diki Lhamu Sherpa, 3rd – Pandimit Lepcha
One Mile Run (Boys): 1st – Aditya Darjee, 2nd – Rohit Kumar Chowdhury, 3rd – Yabesh Darjee
Passing the Ball: 1st – Yangchen Lepcha, 2nd – Manju Pradhan, 3rd – Chungden Lepcha
Tug of War (Male): 1st – Khelo India State Centre of Excellence, Resithang, 2nd – White Hall Boxing Club
Tug of War (Female): 1st – Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, 2nd – Khelo India State Centre of Excellence, Resithang
An exhibition football match in the afternoon saw the Ex-Hostellers (SSA) defeat the State Academy team 3–1.
The celebration was attended by MLA and Advisor Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, Deputy Mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Jacob Khaling, and Chairpersons of the State Sports Development Board, Urban Development, and Culture Departments, along with sportspersons and senior officials from the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Joint Director Sonam Paljor Lepcha, and Assistant Director Bhanu Bhakta Chapagai served as Master of Ceremony.
