International sportspersons from Sikkim have come together on a single platform to support and encourage young athletes of the State in fulfilling their aspirations to represent the country in the international arena
A group sportspersons of the State has recently formed the All Sikkim International Athletes Association (ASIAA) to work together for the betterment of upcoming young athletes of the State.
The executive committee of ASIAA has been formed with Olympian Tarundeep Rai and Ganesh Subba as advisor, Amar Subba as president, Pema Dorjee Bhutia and Sushmita Rai as vice-presidents, Arun Gurung as general secretary.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, ASIAA general secretary Arun Gurung said that the first meeting between international athletes of the State was held on 10 December last year, which discussed on various issues and decided to work together on a single platform.
ASIAA president Amar Subba said, “We have struggled a lot in our respective discipline while representing the country in the international competitions. So our primary objective is to support our athletes financially and morally who will qualify for the international competitions in their respective discipline in the future.”
He further added that the ASIAA will also work to guide and motivate young athletes of the State to take them to the national and international arenas.
“ASIAA has also brought international athletes of the State on the single platform to work together and in the unity for the betterment of young generation. We would use our experiences and exposures to guide and motivate our young generation to move ahead in their discipline,” Subba said.
ASIAA vice-president, Sushmita Rai mentioned that an athlete needs a huge amount of financial support while representing the country and many promising athletes have stepped down following this financial requirement.
She added that ASIAA would work to convince private companies in the State to come forward to support the local sportsperson in fulfilling their aspirations to represent India in the international platform.
She further added that the ASIAA would work to make the path for promising young athletes of the State.