DHARAMSHALA: The importance of incorporating sports and recreation in daily life cannot be stressed enough. In today’s hectic world, staying physically active is a constant challenge particularly for those engrossed in the sedentary lifestyle of what they call intellectual labour.

Sports and recreation has been considered vital for the overall development of mental alertness and physical health. Participation in sports also enhances other crucial life skills that teaches teamwork and the ability to function in a competitive environment thereby increasing productivity at work.

Hence, keeping the physical and mental health of the Tibetan civil servants in mind, the Central Tibetan Administration has commenced a renovation of the Gangchen Kyishong Basketball ground, the sole recreation center for the staff of the Tibetan administration and nearby Tibetan organisations and offices.

After a yearlong construction work, the renovation was finally completed this year. Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, himself an avid sportsman in his school days, inaugurated the renovated basketball ground on Saturday.

Amid much cheers and laughter, Sikyong followed the official inaugural with a display of his own skills with the ball by throwing a few perfect shots at the hoop. The staff and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration including the entire Tibetan Kalons and Secretaries, attended the inaugural of the playground.

An inter-departmental basketball tournament is held every year on the playground. This year’s tournament comprised of two teams in the women’s games and ten teams in the men’s category.