GANGTOK, August 25: The 39th All India Institutional Table Tennis Championship kicked off this evening in a glittering function held at Indoor Gymnasium Hall at Paljor Stadium here.
KT Gyaltsen, the Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly who attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest declared the tournament open.
Organized by Sikkim Table Tennis Association and Sikkim Veteran Table Tennis Association under the aegis of Table Tennis Federation of India, the function was also attended by the State Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel, Sanchaman Limbo, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Commission, KN Rai, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister and the also the chief patron of the Organizing Committee.
While addressing the host of sports persons coming from across the country, Mr. Gyaltsen said, the mega sport event will not only provide an opportunity for the sports persons to meet but also will help develop the national integration.
Stating that Sikkim Government was keen on promoting the sports in a massive way, the Speaker said sport tourism in Sikkim is one area which the State Government is more focused.
CK Basnet, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee while briefing about the tournament informed that there are a total of 18 institutional teams coming from 19 states including Sikkim will be participating in the event.
Earlier, in a press meet, the organizing team had informed that more than 400 players from 34 premium institutions all over the country along with Sikkimese players will be participating in the mega sport event.
The function also witnessed felicitation to the veteran table tennis player Paulami Ghatak, the Arjun Awardee of 2009 by the chief guest.
The closing ceremony and the final matches of the tournament will be held on August 29 with the presence of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as the chief guest.
