SSBBA announces grand 24th Mr Sikkim Championship promoting fitness and drug-free Sikkim

The Sikkim State Body Building Association (SSBBA) on July 5 announced that the upcoming 24th Mr. Sikkim & 7th Open Men’s & Women’s Physique Championship 2025 will be held on August 23 at Manan Kendra, Gangtok, in a grand celebration marking the Silver Jubilee of the SSBBA and the 50th year of Sikkim’s statehood.

Speaking at a press conference, SSBBA officials said this annual event has been a fixed feature in the state’s fitness calendar. “This is our calendar event. Every year we organize this event. But this year, we are doing it on a much bigger scale to celebrate our Silver Jubilee and 50 years of Sikkim's statehood,” said the organisers.

Treasurer Laxmi Maya Gurung unveiled the prize structure for the championship, which includes Royal Enfield bikes, scooties, gold chains, and cash prizes worth between Rs 20 to 25 lakhs in total. "This year, the prizes are bigger than ever. For the Mr. Sikkim Bodybuilding Championship, the winner will receive a brand new Royal Enfield bike. The Men’s Physique Champion will also ride away with a Royal Enfield, while the Women’s Physique Champion will take home a scooty and a gold chain,” she said.

In addition to these, the top five contestants in each category will receive generous cash prizes. Other categories include Denim Jeans and Sports Model, which will also carry attractive prizes, although exact details were not revealed during the press conference.

The association said the huge prize money and grand scale of the event are in line with a broader social mission. “We are doing this to promote fitness and a drug-free lifestyle. It is the dream of our Hon’ble Chief Minister to build a ‘Nasha Mukt Sikkim’ (Drug-Free Sikkim). This event is a step in that direction,” said an SSBBA representative.

SSBBA also announced its collaboration with three rehabilitation centers in Sikkim, aiming to use bodybuilding and fitness as tools for recovery and social reintegration. A gym has already been established under this initiative. “Many youths tend to drift toward drugs. Our goal is to bring them back through the discipline of fitness and bodybuilding,” said one of the members. “Even the equipment for the fitness and rehab centres has already been provided.”

The association is also gearing up to launch its official website and social media platforms to share updates and involve the larger public. “We are fully prepared. We have our page, our online presence is building up, and even people from outside Sikkim are taking interest. Everyone is working with responsibility,” the organisers said.

“Bodybuilding is not just about physique. It is a path to discipline, self-worth, and achievement. Through this championship, we want to create dreams and help fulfill them — one rep at a time.”, SSBBA said.