ANAND BASNET, Gangtok, 23 Jan:
Sikkim State Karate-Do Association has announced plans to host the 1st Sikkim Open International Karate Championship from 28 to 30 January here at the indoor gymnasium hall of the Paljor Stadium complex.
The championship, association members inform, will feature over 700 martial artists from Japan, Bhutan and Nepal, along with Karatekas from Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and the North Eastern States. Sikkim will be fielding a contingent of around 200 Karatekas.
The championship will feature competitions in sub-junior, cadet, junior [boys and girls] and senior men and women’s categories.
Additionally, it is further informed, over 300 attendees, including delegates, officials, guardians, and parents are scheduled to witness the event.
The opening ceremony on 29 January will have the Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Raju Basnet as the chief guest in the morning, while RDD Minister Arun Kumar Upreti will attend the evening session as the chief guest, it is informed.
The final day of the championship on 30 January will have Chief Minister PS Tamang as chief guest.
All India National Federation president, Bharat Sharma, is also scheduled to attend the championship as an observer.
SSKA sees the championship as a significant milestone in promoting martial arts in Sikkim, fostering both national and international sports camaraderie.