A group of athletes from the Sikkim Masters Weightlifting Association (SMWA), along with medal winners from the 5th National Masters Weightlifting Championship 2026, met the Governor of Sikkim on Tuesday in Gangtok. The delegation was led by SMWA President Lakpa Sherpa. The team had recently taken part in the national-level championship and delivered a notable performance, marking an important step for masters weightlifting from the state. During the meeting, the Governor welcomed the athletes and congratulated them for their achievements at the national event. He acknowledged their effort and discipline, noting that their performance was a matter of pride for Sikkim. The Governor also felicitated the medal winners by presenting them with traditional khadas as a mark of respect and recognition.
Officials present during the interaction said the meeting was aimed at encouraging athletes and highlighting the growing presence of Sikkim in masters-level sports competitions. The Governor appreciated the dedication shown by the lifters and said such efforts would help inspire more people, especially senior athletes, to take up sports. He also extended his best wishes to the team for future competitions and assured support for the growth of masters weightlifting in the state. According to him, promoting sports at all age levels is important for building a healthy and active society.
Speaking on behalf of the association, SMWA President Lakpa Sherpa thanked the Governor for the warm reception and continued encouragement. He shared details of the team’s performance at the championship and said the recognition would motivate the athletes to perform better in upcoming events. Sherpa also said that the association is working to strengthen training and participation in masters weightlifting across Sikkim. He expressed hope that with support from the state authorities, more athletes would come forward and represent Sikkim at national and international levels.