Tika Subba takes charge of SICA, promises cricket upgrade

SAMIR NUGO

GANGTOK, : Tika Subba was elected uncontested as the new president of the Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA) at its Annual General Meeting held in Gangtok on Tuesday. He replaces Lobzang G. Tenzing, who had helmed the State’s governing body for cricket since 2016.

Notably, all executive members were elected unopposed after withdrawal of nomination papers by four candidates out of the total nine interested contenders for the SICA executive body. January 28 was the last day for the withdrawal of nominations. 

While Tika Subba was elected following the withdrawal by his opponent Gyaphel Tshering Bhutia, Rinzing Namgyal Bhutia was appointed honorary secretary after Nayan Tshering Bhutia withdrew his nomination.

Mukesh Agarwal is the new SICA treasurer, while his opponent Karma Jigme Namgyal, following his withdrawal of nomination, was appointed as the councilor of the apex council today.

Dinesh Khator is the vice-president and Gopal Sharma Dahal the joint secretary.

Subba had served as secretary in the past when Sikkim Chief Minister P.S. Golay was the president.

After his appointment, Subba, joined by other executive members, outlined their approach and plans to improve cricket in Sikkim. “By taking all stakeholders together, coaches, players and district bodies, we will work in a transparent way to ensure that Sikkim cricket continues to thrive and grow stronger, both on and off the field.”

He said their primary area of focus would be to develop more cricket facilities. “We are grateful to the BCCI for all the support we have been receiving for the development of cricket facilities and infrastructure in Sikkim. Without their support, we cannot move ahead. We had to go through many struggles to reach the level we are at right now. Everyone, former and past members, have contributed to the growth of SICA. We are optimistic that in the coming days our cricket will reach newer heights,” he added.

Soon after the AGM, the new president held a meeting with SICA staff, coaches, players’ representatives and district bodies where they discussed their future course of action, focusing on taking the game to the grassroots level and tapping young talents.

Secretary Rinzing Namgyal stressed on nurturing cricketers from a young age so the players don’t struggle when touring other States and playing against bigger teams. “We need to develop home-grown cricketers in Sikkim. They need to start playing early so that our teams don’t have a problem adjusting when playing against stronger teams,” said Rinzing, a former State player. He added that putting the right infrastructure in place and widening the base to ensure a supply of quality players would be SICA’s priority to keep pace with national cricket.

“SICA has plans to develop cricket outside Mining and take the game to other parts of the State. We will start working on the project soon. It’s extremely important to take the game to the grassroots and that’s one of the major points on our agenda,” he said.

He further added: “As a former player, I know where and how we can help cricketers. And with that thought, we will move forward.  Our focus will be on working for Sikkim cricketers and their future.”

Stressing on giving more opportunities to the local players as much as possible, Rinzing said that in order to do that they must first be made capable of taking on the best.

“So, we have to work a lot at the ground level. When they travel outside, they should be ready to face any team without hesitation,” he added.

The SICA secretary said the new team would also continue with the development plans at the top level, providing the State team all the support they need to perform well at the national level.