A 20-member team from the Sikkim Strength Lifting Association (SSLA) is all set to represent Sikkim in the 28th edition of sub junior, junior, senior and master Federation Cup National Strength Lifting Championship 2019 for men and women to be held from March 28 to 31 at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara in Punjab.
The state team includes 16 men and four women. The team will be accompanied by international strength lifter, Pema Dorjee Bhutia as team coach and Edu Tshering Bhutia as team manger.
The team is scheduled to leave for the championship on March 25.
In a small function held at White Hall complex in Gangtok on Thursday afternoon, SSLA executive members conveyed their best wishes to the state team.
The function had a local entrepreneur, Chandra Kala Pradhan as the chief guest, who expressed her best wishes to the team members and encouraged them to come home with medals and laurels for the State.
She further stressed upon the need of support and encouragement from all sides to local sportspersons to take them in the national and international levels.
She also encouraged young children to take up sports to stay fit and healthy.
SSLA vice-president, Mani Kumar Rasaily mentioned that SSLA has already produced lots of national and international strength lifters from Sikkim in a short duration of time.
He encouraged team members to give their best efforts to shine name of Sikkim in the championship.
SSLA chief coach, Pema Dorjee Bhutia mentioned that the association was sending eight new young lifters of age group between 15 to 17 years to the championship this time.
He stated that the preparation went very well and all team members were in their top form to give their best in the championship.
“We are confident to come back home with medals and laurels for the State from the championship,” he expressed.