Football in Baichung Bhutia's Land

FIFA’s help, a major boost for football in Sikkim

Gangtok: Nestled in the foothills of Himalaya, Sikkim is widely known for its rich biodiversity. But not many may know it is also the breeding ground of footballers in India from the northeast. The State recently got a major boost, when world’s biggest football organization FIFA, decided to provide monetary assistance for the development of football sport in the state.

It is well-known that people in the northeast region of the country have always been drawn to sports, especially football. And, their passion perhaps, drew Federation International of Football Association (FIFA), the biggest name in the world of football, towards India, particularly towards Sikkim.

Known for its pristine natural reserve, Sikkim is also known as the home of Bhaichung Bhutia, all time India’s best footballer and captain of current Indian football team. Youngsters in the region view FIFA support, as a milestone, to encourage the sport here.

Arjun Rai, Coach of the United Sikkim Football Club, said: “The money that FIFA has given for our State, would be highly beneficial for promotion of football here. That money would be used in ground maintenance, making new grounds and football houses. So we will be benefited.”

Leezang Lepcha, Football player, Sikkim, said: “Football is in our blood. It is highly popular in northeast. There are other sports also but in Sikkim, in Gangtok and in northeast we give more preference to football. That’’s why we are playing football since our childhood.”

Under its Goal Project II, FIFA would be providing a monetary assistance of rupees one crore to develop the football infrastructure in the State. Even the state government and All India Football Federation would be contributing two million rupees each to fasten the process of development.

Sikkim is the only state after Karnataka to be selected by FIFA for its Goal Project, which is believed to boost moral of youngsters of the region to further hone their skill and talent.
Source: Asian News International (ANI)

62nd Santosh Trophy

No Baichung Bhutia in Sikkim Squad:

Gangtok: Sikkim will miss the services of India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who is doing national duty, during the 62nd National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy to be held in Jammu and Kashmir from May 25.
Three more key players, besides Bhutia, would not be available for the same reason, SFA General Secretary Menla Ethenpa said.
The three are East Bengal player Nirmal Chhetri and two members of national under-16 team -- Ashish Chhetri and Bigendra Rai.
Keeping these limitations in mind, the Sikkim Football Association has picked a 20-member squad, Ethenpa said adding the boys should do well in the national football tournament as it would be held in similar weather condition as prevailed back home.
Sikkim has been drawn with Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Chandigarh in Pool A and play their lung opener with Tamil Nadu on May 26.
A five-day training camp for the state team was held at Paljor Stadium recently.
The squad: Bimal Bagdas, Karma Tsering Lepcha, Tashi Rapden, Rupen Rai, Karma Lhendup, Robin Gurung, Sonam Bhutia, Don Tshering Lepcha, Sagar Rai, Rohit Ansari, Milan Lepcha, Sanju Pradhan, Tshering Lepcha, Kiran Tamang, Ong Tshering Lepcha, Sisil Karthak, Engphuhang Subba, Bikash Jairu, Nim Tshering Lepcha and Bir Bahadur Pradhan.
Source: The Press Trust of India

All India Public Sector Football

ONGC lift title via sudden death:

Nov 20: ONGC won the All India Public Sector Football Tournament held at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, by overcoming a spirited FCI in sudden death penalty shootout.

S Chowdhary from ONGC converted the sudden death penalty shot while FCI’s T S Bist smashed his shot over the cross bar.

Both the teams were locked in a goalless draw in the regulation 90 minutes and the resultant tie-breaker ended in a 4-4 draw, forcing the game to be decided on sudden death.

Mohan Sarkar missed his penalty for ONGC while Abijit Mazumdar did the same for FCI.

J Zulwa from SAIL was named player-of-the-tournament.

Seven public sector football teams had participated in the tournament.

Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup

NRT Nepal lift title:

Nov 7: NRT, Nepal, lifted the coveted All India Governor's Gold Cup, beating arch rivals Three Star, Nepal, 2-1 at the Paljor stadium at Gangtok today.
This was the fifth time a Nepal team had won the Governor's Gold Cup.
Playing before a capacity crowd, NRT drew the first blood in the 19th minute with a close range shot from striker Nirajan Paymajhi.
Three Star wasted a golden opportunity to equalise in the 31st minute when Lok Bahadur Gurung blasted a penalty kick into the stand.
However, Jumanu Rai compensated for his teammate's blunder with a wonderful equaliser. Drifting down the right box, Rai fired a rasping drive that left the NRT goalie clueless. It was his fifth goal in the tournament.
Three Star were again taken aback by an NRT strike early in the second half. The entire defence stood rooted as NRT defender Bal Gopal Shaukhal connected a corner that crashed into the net in the
59th minute.
This proved to be the winning goal for NRT, who pocketed a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh along with the championship trophy, which was presented by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.
NRT midfielder Basanta Gauchan took the Most Valuable Player of the tournament award, while his team-mate and star striker Anil Gurung was adjudged the man of the match.
Punjab Police, which lost in the semi-finals, was adjudged the most disciplined team of the tournament.