Gangtok, December 16, 2011

To provide universal access to sports in rural area and to promote sports culture among both boys and girls, the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs (SYA), Government of Sikkim is organizing a nine day long 2nd State level Rural Panchayat Yuva Krida Khel Aur Abhiyan (PYKKA) 2011’ from 15th December to 23rd December, sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

A total number of 1250 participants from four districts have been selected from District level in 10 different disciplines which are Athletic, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Kho-Kho, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball including Wushu. The venues for the events shall be TNA ground, Paljor Stadium ground, Paljor Stadium Gymnasium Hall, Guards ground and Tathengchen ground.

The responsibilities on the part of SYA Department is to identify the talented athletes in different discipline for further nurturing and making them part of State Sports Association which shall provide them a platform to prove themselves in National and International levels.

Chief Guest for the day Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, NK Pradhan for the inaugural function held at Tashi Namgyal Academy ground, was accompanied by the Guest of Honour, Chief Secretary, Karma Gyatso said that PYKKA is the flagship programme of India and has reached in the rural areas of the country. Adding further he said that Sikkim also has schemes which have been conducting for almost past 2-3 years especially for the boys and girls of the rural areas of the four districts.

Pradhan said that it is through PYKKA, the children from rural areas have been receiving a golden opportunity to showcase their talents in National and International levels. Stressing on the playgrounds of the state, he said that today through PYKKA almost 40 big playgrounds has been developed where 5 lakh each have been utilized whereas in small 64 playgrounds 1 lakh each has been utilized and ensured of upgrading more playgrounds in the days to come. The chief guest wished the participants for the coming days and wished them to perform their best.

During the inaugural function, the department also distributed the cheques to the Gram Panchayat Units and Zilla Panchayats of the PYKKA Committee. The cheques were for the up gradation of the playgrounds in their respective districts.

Darap Chumbung Zilla Panchayat was felicitated with the Certificate of Appreciation for their valuable contribution in promoting PYKKA (Archery Competition 2009-10) winning gold medal at a National Level Competition. Likewise, the department also felicitated Mangshilla Zilla Panchayat in Boxing who brought home three bronze medal from the National Level Competition in 2009-10.

Chief Secretary who chaired the inaugural function as the Guest of Honour declared the opening of 2nd State level PYKKA Competition.

Earlier the function started with a Wushu demo by the players and oath taking ceremony. The function was also attended by the Secretary for SYA, Karma P Bhutia, Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal, Member of Planning Commission R Ongmu,Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh, Officials from the SYA, different sports associations including general public.

Sikkim Mail

 

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