A group of 17 young footballers from Sikkim described their friendly match and interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Gangtok as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. The players, representing regions including Namchi, played at Lok Bhawan and engaged in informal conversations with the Prime Minister on sports, fitness, and youth development. Several players, including Prekila Tamang and Gyurmi Tamang, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, highlighting the benefits of government initiatives like the Khelo India scheme, which they said is helping categorize and support youth athletes. Others, such as Ishan Majhi and Deepen Rai, said the match gave them valuable experience and motivation to aim for representing India at the Olympics.
The footballers praised Modi’s friendly demeanor and thanked both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister for facilitating the event, calling it a proud moment for the state’s youth. Sherin Lepcha noted that schemes like Khelo India are crucial in encouraging young talent, while the group collectively described the interaction as warm, informal, and deeply memorable. They said the match not only boosted their confidence but also underscored the government’s commitment to promoting sports and youth development in Sikkim.