Nirmal Chettri Conducts a Coaching Camp

Nirmal Chettri, East Bengal star defender and India Under-23 International is back home in Sikkim these days on a vacation after a grueling season, But you can never keep Nirmal away from football for long as he recently conducted a Football Awareness Camp for the junior players of his home town Melli in South Sikkim.

The Camp lasted for four days from 22^nd to the 25^th of June and was attended by nearly thirty players from Melli and the surrounding areas. Some senior players of Sikkim also helped Nirmal in this noble effort to give direction to the young players. The camp had morning and evening sessions.

Nirmal expressed happiness with regards to the camp as he saw some very excited kids who carried their own balls to attend the camp though Nirmal had arranged for the balls himself. He also admitted that he is not a trained coach but he shared his experience as a professional footballer with them.

Nirmal wants to make this Camp an annual affair as he feels that the players should be trained in a proper way from a young age which will help them grow into a technically sound footballers in future.  He expressed hope that from next year more people will come in and help him in this endeavor.

This kind of projects should be appreciated and applauded by all and it’s so heartening to note that Nirmal has realized at such a young age that he has to give back to the kids what he has learned as a Professional footballer for more than four years.

Nirmal like any other player gets a one month break in a year and nobody would have said anything if he had taken a complete break from football but he stood up and conducted this camp which proves that he is of a different breed and wants to help the upcoming players and inspire them to follow his foot-steps.

Meanwhile United Kurseong Football Club has decided to felicitate Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan for their achievements during the Club’s Patrons meeting on the 10^th of July. The Club’s Working President, Dinker Chettri informed.

S.U.M.I and the Beautiful Game

Football has always occupied a special place in Scottish Universities’ Mission Institution (SUMI), a missionary school based in Kalimpong. It has a rich history with regards to the beautiful game having produced hundreds of talented footballers its 125 years of existence. Many of whom have go on and played for the well known clubs of the country. Notable amongst them is Pem Dorjee who was a wonderful stopper who played for almost all the big clubs and even captained the National team.

In keeping with the rich tradition of football in SUMI, this year the team has made a bright start to the season having won the North-Bengal region inter-school tournament a few weeks back, hence qualifying for the B.C. Roy Memorial Challenge Cup  to be held in Kolkata from today. If they win this tournament SUMI will get the honor of representing Bengal in the Subroto Cup which is the National level inter school football tournament.

The team trained for four days at the Mela ground in Kalimpong before leaving for Kolkata on the 22^nd of July. The Boys were made to play the practice games in the mid-day heat with their sweat shirts on. The coach Ganesh Dahal later explained that this was being done as they are expecting a very hot and humid Kolkata during this part of the month. It might be mentioned here that the team is slated to play their first match on the 24^th of July.

The coach further said that he is confident of a good performance from the boys but was honest to add that the weather in Kolkata can be a hindrance in their mission to win the tournament. If we look at SUMI’s recent record in the BC Roy Memorial Challenge Cup, the team can be called one of the favorites as they finished Runner’s up in 2009.Last year they finished fourth and were the champions in 2008. The assistant Coach Prashant Pradhan informed.

So in its 125^th year, Scottish Universities’ Mission Institution’s football team has set out to conquer Bengal and make this year even more special for the school. This bunch of boys seemed to be very hardworking and dedicated towards the game. Practicing and playing for the last two months with an aim to continue the glorious tradition of the school’s football history. Many of these boys might not be aware of what their school has achieved with regards to football in the past but they know that they study in a football crazy school where every match day when the school team play is a holiday. So these boys have a chance to bring Glory not only to their school but to the whole of Darjeeling hills and as their school song say’s “When SUMI Boys go marching on” if everything falls in to place they might just march on straight to the trophy and lift it. Go Boys it’s all yours.

Photograph Courtesy- Praveen Chettri

Footballing Four from Sikkim

Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan, both now fully established players in East Bengal visited Paljor Stadium at Gangtok a few days back during their short vacation. Robin Gurung and Bikash Jairu who are playing for ONCG, also accompanied them. The Stadium also happens to be the home of Sikkim Sports Academy where all these boys spent their Academy days after they passed out from Namchi Sports Hostel.

Nirmal and Sanju echoed each other and said  that playing for East Bengal is like a fairytale for them  and the club has been treating them well and has always supported them  and on their part  they have left no stones unturned and have tried to give their best performance in every match. They have been disciplined and follow their routine with honesty and strive to improve with every match has been their goal. By far this year has been the best among the three years they were in the club as they managed to win the Federation Cup, Mohammedan Sporting Platinum Jubilee Cup and the Calcutta league.

They further expressed their happiness over the artificial turfs that had been recently laid at Paljor Stadium. They said that the stadium has certainly undergone immense changes and these added infrastructures shall definitely attract many youngsters within the state towards the game and will also open ways for other top division clubs from the country to come and play in the state.     

The state has innumerable talent that has been unutilized thus far, which if properly groomed will definitely have a huge impact on the national scene and may be even further. In order to achieve this feat, the state government and the Sikkim Football Association should work together to organize more grass root level camps at a regular basis, bring back the days when Inter school football tournaments and District level  tournaments used to be organized regularly. Also they further added that keeping in mind the kind of infrastructure we have in the state presently Super league tournaments, invitational matches involving well known clubs and other such tournaments should be regularly organized to recognize more local talents whilst giving them valuable exposure and a much needed platform for their talents.

While on the other hand Robin Gurung from O.N.G.C. Club who was also the man of the tournament at the recently held Governor’s Gold club in Sikkim, said that playing in front of the home crowd certainly gave him a rejuvenated sense of enthusiasm which helped him earn his man of the tournament laurel. He said frequent tournaments would certainly pave the way for budding talents of the state. Bikash Jairu said that United Sikkim F.C. certainly looks promising and has shown great performance in its early stages and its entry into the I league will be a great milestone for Sikkimese football and will further add more numbers to the already growing Sikkim football fans.

Information and Photograph Courtesy- Naresh Chettri 

Sandip Nandy relaxes in Sikkim ahead of national camp

One of the most decorated Indian Football goal-keepers Sandip Nandy, who has played for a number of top division clubs in India, is here in Gangtok with his family to enjoy the serene climate, just before the national camp which is scheduled from June 15.

He has played for reputed Clubs like Mohun Bagan( 1999-2001), Tollygunj Agragami(2001-02), East Bengal (2002-04), Mahindra United (2004-09),  Chirag United (2009-10) and is presently playing for East Bengal. Nandy also featured in the National Team from the year 2000-2008 in which he showcased his phenomenal talent in the Doha Asian games against the mighty Iran team. It won him huge appreciation and applauds. He was, however, sidelined for two years due to a knee injury but has now been called back for the national camp scheduled to kick start from the June mid.

Naresh Chettri, a well wisher of Lateybhakundo caught up with Sandip Nandy and asked a few questions-

Naresh Chettri: When and why did you come here in Gangtok?

SANDIP: I came here on June 9 with the sole purpose of spending quality time with my family and to enjoy the serene climate of Gangtok before the national camp.

NC: Why only Sikkim?

Sandip: I have come here in Gangtok at previous two occasions to play the Governor’s Gold Cup during the year 1998 playing for Mohun Bagan and 2009 under Chirag United. I have fond memory here and I brought my family to experience the goodness that Sikkim provides and Sikkim is the best place to relax and have quality time. It refreshes your mind and body and gives you a morale boost which is much needed before the national camp.

NC: Tell us about your experience playing with Bhaichung Bhutia?

Sandip: Bhaichung Bhutia has always been the face of Indian Football. I have always looked up to him with great respect. While he was the captain of the National team he always motivated the team with outmost simplicity yet very motivating. He is by far the most successful Indian football captain and his natural talent and dedication towards the game is very rare.

NC: Your opinion about the United Sikkim FC headed by Bhaichung Bhutia?

Sandip: The club certainly looks promising and has shown great performance in its early stages. The club will certainly go a long way and its entry into the I-league division would certainly raise the level of competition.

NC: Would you play for United Sikkim FC if given a chance?

Sandip: Yes of course, I would love to play for the team if it manages to get entry into the I-league division and if the offer is good.

NC: What is the future of Indian Football at global scenario?

Sandip: Comparatively the Indian Football has developed to a great extent, technically the players are sound, the team game has improved a lot and the Indian spectators and fans are encouraging the game of football even more. Youngsters are motivated towards a better future prospect in the game and few years down the line if the encouragement and the support continues, we may well see Indian football team at the World Cup.     

NC: Your opinion about the Sikkim Football players?

Sandip: Sikkim arguably produces the most talented and skillful football players. Bhaichung Bhutia, Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan, all Sikkimese have marked their own niche in the present Indian football scenario. Sikkim will certainly produce more players like them in future is what I firmly believe. 

NC: Lastly would you like to visit Sikkim again?

Sandip: Yes of course, in-fact I am planning to come back right after the national camp to relax, or rather make Sikkim my second home.

Photograph Courtesy- Naresh Chettri

Kalimpong League Kicks Off

Kalimpong is a town and also one of the Sub-divisions in the Darjeeling district. It is a beautiful Hill station which offers pleasant weather throughout the year. Although the number of tourists visiting this town is not that significant. Kalimpong definitely has a huge tourism potential.

With a tag line which says “The ridge where we play” Kalimpong is also a very sporty town where the folks enjoy all kind of sports but football attracts the people of this town the most. It has a rich history of football with tournaments dating back to the 1930-40’s.Kalimpong has also produced plenty of talented footballers over the years and the school football scene is fantastic to say the least.

Football season kicks off early in Kalimpong with this year’s League already underway. There are two divisions. With Super Division having seven teams and the 1^st Division with twenty one teams. The official name for the super division league is “R.B. Pradhan Memorial League” and the 1^st Division is known as “Ravilal Lama Memorial League”. Both these gentleman were renowned people of Kalimpong. Ravilal Lama was a wonderful footballer of his times and was also good in boxing.

All the Kalimpong League matches are played at the “Mela Ground” which is at the heart of the town. The league is organized by the Kalimpong Sports Association (KSA) which has Urgen Lama (Mini),a former footballer of repute as the President. Although faced with so many hurdles like the lack of sponsors and good ground, the league is being run in an smooth manner by the passionate individuals associated with the KSA.

List of the participating teams in the Super Division 2011

-Kalimpong Football Academy

-SUM Institution

-Apex  FC

-Homes United

-BMC Lions

-Kalimpong FC

-PNNS

The favorites to win the Super Division League are the Apex Club along with BMC Lions but Kalimpong Football Academy can spring a surprise, we cannot rule out the other teams too.BMC lions are a new team made up of students from BB Pradhan Management College. The team has two Bhutan International players and they have already become a crowd puller according to an official of the Kalimpong Sports Association. Scottish University Mission’s Institution (SUMI) is another team with students forming its backbone. This team is the traditional power house of Kalimpong Football; although it’s a school team they give tough competition to the Clubs. In its more than hundred years of history these school has produced thousands of quality footballers. 

The league has kicked off on the 28^th of May and will continue till the 21^st of June. It’s amazing that with so many odds stacked against it the beautiful game still flourishes in Kalimpong, Its disheartening to note that there is no cash prizes for the winners of the League and they just play the game out of love for it, but when you have the passion and will nothing can stop you from achieving your goal and these players play in the hope that they will find brighter days in future. The new Sports Minister has promised many packages to develop sports in North Bengal. Hopefully “Poriborton” will also hit “The Ridge where we play”.

Tenzing Tsephel An Exciting Talent

A late starter in the  game of football by his own admission. Tenzing Tsephel was one of the players who had caught my attention around two months ago when United Sikkim FC were conducting their pre 2^nd Division I-league camp in Kolkata. I had found him to be quick, though and aggressive and above all a player with an eye for the goal. A virtue which defines every good striker.

After the camp got over in Kolkata. United Sikkim FC travelled to Guwahati and participated in the 2^nd Division I-League Qualifiers, first round matches. Tsephel was also part of that squad and gave a decent performance and helped the team qualify for the final round in Shillong. Unfortunately United Sikkim FC finished in the 5^th spot and were not able to book a berth in this year’s I-League. So United’s along with Tsephel’s dream of playing at the highest level of Indian Football remained unfulfilled but as they say life has to move on and they will get this opportunity again next year.

Tenzing Tsephel was born on the 18^th of June 1984 in Gangtok. He stayed and studied in the state Capital till class one and after that his parents decided to send him for further education to Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. Tsephel was enrolled in Tibetan Children Village School and started playing football for fun. Later on he became a regular with the school team and won many individual awards and certificates, but he is humble to add that the level of football was not that good and he just played for fun and had no intention of taking up football seriously although he used to love the game.

After finishing his school education Tsephel came down to Delhi and joined Guru Govind Singh College but this college had no football ground hence no team as well. So Tsephel tried to curve his longing to play football by trying his hand in another ball game, Basketball.

Tsephel  passed out of college and returned to his home state of Sikkim with an intention to find a decent government job and secure his future but the passion for football with which Sikkim oozes had an effect on this boy and he decided to continue playing football but at the same time he was also looking for a government job to satisfy his parents wish. Tsephel’s hunt for Government Job continues but his football career has truly started taking shape today.

First Club that Tsephel played for in Sikkim was the Zongri FC and after a season with them he was called by the Boys Club (One of the oldest and respected clubs of Sikkim),even Bhaichung Bhutia had played for this club. He played very well with them and was called for the Sikkim State team which was going to participate in the 2007 Santosh Trophy held in Faridabad. Tsephel once again proved here that football was his calling as he played well in all the group games and even scored a goal against Chandigarh.

Then in 2008 Tsephel joined United Sikkim FC, during those days it was known as United Sikkim Sporting Club and played in all the major tournaments of that region. Before he joined United Sikkim FC, Tsephel also had a stint with Delhi League side Royal Rangers, where he finished as the Club’s highest scorer.

Tsephel is enjoying his time with United Sikkim FC and wants to remain committed to the Club. He had a dream of playing alongside Bhaichung Bhutia which has been fulfilled, now he has another dream to take United Sikkim FC to the I-League. He admitted that it was wonderful to play with Bhaichung and every time he  got the ball he tried to keep it simple and passed it on to his idol whom he calls “Agya”.

Players like Tsephel represents those breed of footballers in the country who are educated at the same they have a passion for football. They want to play the game at the same there is an apprehension about the future “What if I don’t make it”? I will not get a job then what will I do? My education will go to waste.

When I last met Tsephel at Gangtok he was waiting for his turn in a Government Department for a job interview. I joked with him “Now you are a Pro Footballer do u still need that job” and his reply was “This  is important to secure my future” which points to the fact that our sportspeople are still  not freely pursuing  their sports as that pressure of What if I don’t make it is always there. The Onus is on the Government and the Corporate sector to come forward and support these Footballers or in the larger context, sportspeople. Governments can create more sports quotas and the private sector can chip in with sponsorship and other benefits sometimes without thinking about the profits and secure the future of footballers like Tsephel who can whole heartedly pursue their passion then. I am sure deep within Tsephel has a wish of playing football fulltime rather than sitting in a Government office and there are also many like me who wants him to play and entertain us and take my word he is a wonderful talent and his best is yet to come.

Ong Tshering Lepcha- Coming back to form

Not so long ago Ong Tshering Lepcha was dubbed as the next Bhaichung Bhutia by the Sikkimese Media.He was playing for Churchill Brothers back then and had also represented the India Under-20 team as the Captain, but an unfortunate knee injury threatened to cut short his career in the year 2007.It was a routine pre-season training at Churchill Brothers which  turned the fortunes of this promising youngster the wrong way. While playing the practice game Ong went in to win a fifty-fifty ball but his team mate made a clumsy tackle and Ong went down to the ground feeling an excruciating pain on his right knee. The team Physio took stock of the situation and found out that Ong had suffered a major Injury on his right knee and he was taken to Mumbai for further treatment. Dr Anant Joshi, the famous Sports Injury expert observed him and advised him to take complete bed rest for six months as he had suffered a major knee ligament tear. Rehabilitation process would take another six months.

After spending few days in Mumbai Ong returned to Goa and spend his days at the Club’s flat. This was a very frustrating period as he was not able to do what he loved the most, play football. During away matches he used to be all alone in his flat as his team mates used to travel to other cities. His only companion used to be the cook with whom he became good friends over the six month period. This was a major injury but Ong did not require an operation. He was confident that he would make a complete recovery and never during this period any negative thoughts crossed his mind.

After six months of complete bed rest Ong moved to Kolkata where he started his rehabilitation process which lasted for four months. After that he felt that he could start off with some light weight training. He started regular gym session and within two months he felt confident that he had made a complete recovery. But he had still not touched the ball till now which is the most important part of this recovery process. Ong understood this and started training with the ball, initially he was not that comfortable but slowly he started to feel that he was getting  back his touch.

2009 proved to be the comeback year for Ong when he joined the Delhi Club, Indian Nationals where his name was put forward by Bhaichung Bhutia. He didn’t play too many matches for them but he gained full confidence. Now the memory of that dreadful injury had faded away.

After a season with Indian Nationals. Ong joined BMFC Mumbai in 2010 but things didn’t move smoothly there and he joined another Mumbai side Kenkre FC on loan and played in the recently concluded 2^nd Division I-League qualifiers.

Now Ong is back home in Sikkim and is training regularly at the Paljor Stadium with an aim to join one of the I-League Clubs next season. He has Captained India Under 16 and Under 20 National teams in the past and has also scored a few International goals so he is also looking forward to win back that India Jersey once again. This time it would be the senior team jersey. Ong has seen it all at this very young age. From the highs of playing for India and Churchill Brothers to the lows of playing with amateur players in the parks of Kolkata during his recovery period. At the moment the media seems to have forgotten Ong but he has no complains as he is confident that it’s just a matter of few more months that he’ll start hitting the headlines once again as they say, Form is temporary but the class is permanent.