Team Pandim Lifts First Khangchendzonga Shiled 2020
Team Pandim has emerged as the champion of Khangchendzonga Shield 2020, Sikkim’s first Women’s Cricket Tournament, held at Sikkim Cricket Ground, Rangpo. In the final match of the tournament played on Saturday, team Pandim defeated team Kabru by 24 runs.
Team Kabru win the toss and decided to field first. In the first innings, Team Pandim scored 115 runs in 20 overs with the loss of 3 wickets. While chasing the target of 116 runs, Team Kabru managed to score just 91 runs with the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.
The tournament organized by Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA), was also participated by Team Siniolchu and Team Simvo. The tournament has started on 11 November, where every team played league matches with other teams and the top two teams took each other in the final match of the tournament.
The final match has Sarda Tamang, wife of the Honourable Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), as the chief guest. The guest and other dignitaries handed over the trophies and medals to the winners.
Diksha Gurung of Team Kabru was awarded the Emerging Players of the tournament award, while the player of the tournament for the U19 category was given to Yudenmit Lepcha of Team Pandim and Purni Maya Gurung was announced Player of the tournament. Tshering Ongmu Lepcha was of Team Siniolchu received the Highest Run scorer award and trophy of the highest wicket-taker was given to Sunita Rai of Team Siniolchu.
Karma Sonam Lhendup, Joint Secretary of SICA informed that SICA had first organized a coaching camp for 64 women cricketers of Sikkim, which had around 25 fresh players, mainly from rural areas. They were coached by Dr Atul Gaikwad from 7th to 10th November at Sikkim Cricket Ground, Rangpo. He further informed that after the camp the players were divided into 4 teams in such a manner that along with experienced players all fresh players would also get an equal opportunity to play matches in the tournament.
Mr Lhendup mentioned that the association has provided coaching camps, kits, and all logistics to teams with the main aim to promote club culture in the state and work further for women’s empowerment and gender equality.
He said that the association has decided to organize the tournament annually and expressed hope that the next edition would attract more players and teams.