Image: Northeast Now

Yonex-Sunrise North-East Zone Inter State Badminton Championship- 2019 was kicked off in Sikkim on Thursday.

The championship began at the indoor badminton hall in Paljor Stadium complex of Gangtok on Thursday.

The four-day long championship is being organized by Badminton Association of Sikkim (BAS).

The championship has India ranking No 2 and world ranking no 87, Ashmita Chaliha from Assam in women singles, India ranking no 1, Maisnam Meiraba from Manipur and India Ranking no 11 and Bidyasagar Salam from Manipur in Boys singles U-19 and India ranking no 1 Dingku Singh Konthoiam and Manjit Singh Khwairakpam from Manipur in boy’s doubles U-19 and India international who have been representing their respective states.

It is a good opportunity for shuttlers of Sikkim to see and learn from game of international and top ranking shuttlers of India from North-Eastern region.

Speaking to media persons, Ashmita Chaliha from Assam, who is playing in Sikkim for the second time, stated to give her best to win medal for the State.

In her short message to upcoming young shuttlers, she encouraged them to do work hard constantly and stated that ‘nothing is impossible’.

Maisnam Meiraba from Manipur, who is playing in Sikkim for the first time, said, “I am here for the win and I will give my best for my State.”

He stressed upon the need to have the strong mindset of not to give up and further expressed that it was very important to enjoy and love the game first to play better in the future.

Likewise, Dingku Singh Konthoiam and Manjit Singh Khwairakpam from Manipur expressed their confidence to continue with their performance to become victorious in the championship.

The duo, who is also playing for the first time in Sikkim, suggested young players to set a goal and start following it without giving it up.

They stressed that it was important for a player to go consistently and dedicatedly with hard practice.

Sagar Chhetri is Northeast Now Correspondent in Gangtok. He can be reached at: [email protected]