Monday, Dec 04, 2023 09:15 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, Dec 04, 2023 03:36 [IST]
GANGTOK,: The finals of the 3rd Governor’s Cup State Badminton Championship 2023 were held at the indoor badminton court of Paljor Stadium here today.
Governor Laxshman Prasad Acharya was present as the chief guest, former Governor Ganga Prasad and Chief Minister PS Golay as the guests of honour. Chief Minister’s spouse Krishna Rai was also present.
The 3rd Governor’s Cup State Badminton Championship was organised by the Governor's Secretariat, Raj Bhawan, Gangtok, in association with the Badminton Association of Sikkim.
The championship had four categories, viz. open men's singles, open women's singles, open mixed doubles, and doubles category exclusively for political leaders and officers.
The three open categories were played at the indoor badminton court of Paljor Stadium, while the doubles events for political leaders and officers were played at Raj Bhawan’s badminton court, it was informed.
Uttam Jindal won the men’s singles, while by Sunandita Bista won the women’s singles. Uttam Jindal and Sunandita Bista combined to win the mixed doubles as well.
Similarly, Dr. JB Gurung and Dr. Titus Mishra won the political leaders and officer’s doubles.
The winners and runners-up were felicitated with trophies, medals, certificates and badminton kits.
During the championship, homage was paid to Kamala Devi, the late wife of former Governor Ganga Prasad, along with the victims of the recent Sikkim flash flood.
Raj Bhawan secretary J.D. Bhutia informed that from next year, the Governor's Cup will be included in the State’s badminton calendar.
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya expressed delight to have the founder of the Governor's Cup, former Governor Ganga Prasad, in the finals.
He maintained that during Ganga Prasad’s tenure as the Governor, numerous developments took place in the State, and it is now the responsibility of all to follow and comply with the initiatives initiated by his predecessor.
Chief Minister Golay said the championship not only provides a platform to the players in the State but also brings brotherhood and unity amongst all.
Golay also lauded the initiatives of the former Governor for the upliftment of the needy and poor.
Former Governor Ganga Prasad said though Sikkim is a small State, it is the first organic State in the nation and is growing immensely in the field of sports.
“We need to work towards making Sikkim self-sufficient in all sectors, and to attain the said goal, all must work together,” he added.