DENZONG BOYZ FC- FROM THE VALLEY OF RICE

Football in Sikkim is on a roll these days with two teams United Sikkim Football Club and Denzong Boyz Football Club getting the nod from the All India Football Federation to participate in the I-League Division 2. Last year Denzong Boyz had played the qualifiers but had failed to reach the final round. Here is a  brief low down on the  team which believes they can go the distance this season.

Set up in the year 2008 Denzong Boys Football Club is a sister concern of Denzong Welfare Association. The Club was formed with an aim to promote the local players at the national platform.Denzong means “The Valley of Rice” and the Bhutia Tribe refers to Sikkim as Denzong.

The Club was formed by some like minded individuals who felt that the interest and popularity of Football was going down in Sikkim and a well managed club with a professional attitude could contribute a lot in reviving the people’s interest in football.

In a very short span of time Denzong Boyz FC has become a popular team in Sikkim winning the Independence Cup two years in row,2008-09.The team also reached the Quarter-Finals of the prestigious All India Governors Gold Cup Football tournament in 2009 beating reputed teams like Delhi Royal Rangers and Punjab Police. In the Quarter-Final they gave a tough time to the I-League side Chirag United but eventually lost in the tie-breaker.

This year the team is looking more focused and have signed many players with I-League experience to compete in a better way during  the I-League Division 2 campaign. Foreigners slot has been filled up by Enondji Patrick Arol,Cameroon Under-20 International and Abraham Bobby Fanny who had played for East Railways last season in the Calcutta Premier League.

The team has appointed Thupden Rapgyal as the head coach, who is a very respected and a senior coach in Sikkim. Popular amongst the footballers as “Thupden Sir”. Currently the team is training at Gaurds Ground in Gangtok, but next week they will head to Siliguri for the residential camp at the Kanchanjunga Stadium according to the General Manager Jigme Lachungpa.

Things are no doubt looking good at Denzong Boyz FC and if they qualify for the I-League Division 1,football will get a new meaning in Sikkim. As a fan I wish the team all the best for their campaign in the I-League Division 2. They have failed in their attempt last season to join the big boys of Indian Football but the effort is on this year. As we used to cheer our school team when we were kids “Keep on trying never saying dying, pull up together nobodies joking”. So Denzong Boyz keep on trying until the Glory will be yours.

Photograph Courtesy- denzongboyzfc.com

United Sikkim FC in Kolkata

United Sikkim Football Club along with twenty other teams from across the country has got the green signal from the All India Football Federation to participate in the second division I-League which starts next month.

It’s a welcome news for the Football lovers in Sikkim along with the players as United Sikkim FC’s entry into the second division will definitely give a boost to the game of  football in Sikkim, a state which has always prided itself on its unconditional love for the Beautiful game.

As far as the team is concerned its camped in Kolkata right now where the Head coach, Stanley Rosario along with the patron Bhaichung Bhutia (Who is now in Sikkim for a family wedding) is holding trails along with the training sessions at the Sports Authority of India complex to recruit new players into the team. Ten boys from Sikkim who are already part of United Sikkim is also included in this camp.

I had the pleasure of watching the team’s  training sessions at the SAI Center for four days where the boys from Sikkim along with the other players on trail played practice matches. Many stars of India football dropped in to watch the training which included the Indian player of the year 2010,Gouramangi Singh along with Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Renedy Singh who is likely to sign for United Sikkim.

Although it’s pretty early to judge but United Sikkim is looking a tough side to beat. It now depends on the coach, Stanley Rosario as he has to be very meticulous in planning which players to sign as All India Football Federation has allowed only five players on Inter State Transfer and three more can be taken on loan. Hope the coach gets the right balance and gels the new signings with the players who he has already got, most of them are from Sikkim.

In the mean time the team has also registered itself as a company and henceforth in all the official documents it will be known as  “United Sikkim Football Club Private Limited Company” and its main sponsor will be Camellia Group of Companies based in Kolkata with the sports equipment giants Nike supplying the kits.

I would also like to mention about the local players from Sikkim who are with United Sikkim. They are all good and with the right guidance they can soon become great. I was particularly impressed by their striker Tenzing Tsephel who was most consistent during the training sessions which I was watched and also scored a couple of excellent goals. Later I found out that he has already represented the Tibetan National Football Team and has also toured some European countries with the team.

Within a month’s time we will all find out where will United Sikkim land up but things are looking good at the moment and I wish they get promotion to the I-League Division one in their very first year.

Three Star Club lifts the Aaha Gold Cup

Three Star Club lifted the 9^th Aaha Gold Cup trophy after defeating Manang Maryshandi Club in the Finals held at Pokhara, yesterday evening. The final score read 1-0 in favour of Three Star. The lone goal was scored by Buddha Chemzong in the 24^th minute. The goal was scored off a freekick when it hit the Manang defender and deflected favorably for Chemzong to slot home.

Manang was under pressure right from the start and after Chemzong’s goal, Three Star stared playing even better but against the run of play Manang had a chance to score but Sujal Shrestha could not capitalize.In the 38^th minute Chemzong failed to score after he received the ball in the Manang Penalty area.

Towards the end of the first half Manang has another opportunity to equalize but Shiva Shrestha failed to convert and the teams headed for the dressing room with the score reading in favor of Three Star 1-0.

Manang’s star striker, Santosh Sahukhala also failed to convert in the 60^th minute and put his team back into the match. Biraj Maharjan was of Three Star was announced man of the match.

It was a match of missed opportunity as both the teams wasted many chances to score but Three Star Club once again proved that they are the team to be beaten in Nepal. This was Three Star’s second triumph at the Aaha Gold Cup.

A record twenty thousand spectators watched the match at the Pokhara Stadium and it was also beamed live on Nepal National Televison (NTV).Aaha Gold Cup was once again a grand success and Sahara Club, the event’s organizers have shown that if you pursue something with hardwork, passion and conviction nothing can stop you from achieving the goal.  

Photograph Courtesy- Sudharshan Ranjit (Sahara Club,Pokhara)

United Sikkim- Its more than just a Club

As a football fan It always feels nice when new initiatives are taken towards the promotion of this beautiful game. When Bhaichung Bhutia launched United Sikkim Sporting Club a few years back, I still remember how excited I was. I even convinced my Producers at Zee Sports to do a story on this Club as part of our North East Football package and there I was with my team to shoot their training session at Guards Ground, Gangtok. We shot for nearly half an hour and I stood there wondering, how far this club can go? Will it be able to fill the void of Sikkim not having any clubs which can compete at the National level? But this club never really took off as per my expectations. I was bit disappointed as they limited themselves to just playing in the Sikkim state league and in the Knock out tournaments held in that region.I always felt this club had more to offer as Bhaichung Bhutia himself was the Chief Patron.

Now nearly after two years United Sikkim Sporting Club has got a new life and It was a pleasure for me to read about them and their plans in the National papers. They have applied to the All India Football Federation for a direct entry into the I-League Division II and I am hopeful that they will get the nod from the Federation. The Club has really grown over the years and now have a corporate sponsor with all the necessary support systems in place. Even the Chief Minister of Sikkim has pledged his support to Club and has assured the management that he will give them Land on the outskirts of the Capital city,Gangtok where the club office and Academy will be constructed with an International size football ground. Really exciting times for football in Sikkim. If everything falls into place within the next one year Sikkim can have their own team in the I-League and it gives me Goosebumps just thinking about the kind of euphoria it will create in Sikkim where Football is a way of life. What a sight it will be- Paljor Stadium full to the brim and United Sikkim playing against an away team.

I will commit a sin if I don’t mention another Club from Sikkim here,Denzong Boyz.A team based in Gangtok and last year they had participated in the I-League division II qualifier but unfortunately they could not qualify. They will give it a shot again this year  and I am sure they will do well.It will be wonderful to see two teams in the I-League II from Sikkim and I can foresee a derby already when these two teams will meet at the Paljor Stadium.I think Sikkim Football Association should  think about increasing Paljor Stadium’s capacity as I am sure the whole of Sikkim will come down to watch these two teams in Action.

United Sikkim Sporting Club can be another feather in Bhaichung Bhutia’s cap and I am sure over the years this club will become a force to be reckoned with, in Indian Football. I think it’s time for Sikkim to move on from the Annual All India Governor’s Gold Cup and get ready for the I-League action and support their own teams instead of cheering for some outstation teams. It seems the journey of Sikkimese football towards the greatness has started and United Sikkim will lead the way.

Photograph Courtesy- Rohen Sampang

United Kurseong FC- An Untold Story

This article was originally written for the indianfootball.com in August 2009

Long before the rest of India realized the importance of identifying the clubs with the city where they are based. Long before clubs like Mumbai FC, Pune FC and New Delhi Heroes were launched with this vision. In a small town of Kurseong in the West Bengal’s Darjeeling district way back in the year 1989 a club was launched by Late Chand Pradhan with a following name, United Kurseong Football Club. Showing in this process what visionary he was, although from a small town he thought of a concept which the rest of the country thought about, years later. Although the Club is not known at the National level, it has been a force to be reckoned with in the whole of North Bengal and Sikkim.UKFC is a household name in this part of the world. In the year 1997 the club officials claim that the team won almost all the tournaments that they entered. They have also won all the tournaments in this region over the years, which have made them one of the most successful clubs of the region.

                

With the aim to involve itself with the community service in future and in that process broaden its base, the club has adopted a secondary full form, where U stands for Unity, K-Kindness, F-Friendship and C- Co-operation.

UKFC has also produced many talented players in its two decades of existence, the notable amongst them are Crispin Chettri who went on to represent India in the under-19 Asian Youth Championship held in Sri Lanka in the year 1999-2000.Along with that he has played for various national level clubs of India. East Bengal and Pune FC have also availed his services. Currently he is with the Kolkata Premier Division side Tollygunge Agragami.Jiten Rai who played for New Delhi Heroes last season is another player who has tasted success.Jiten has played for a number of leading clubs over the years like East Bengal Mohammedan Sporting and Air India. Dinker Chettri was another well known player from the Club although he could not make it big at the national level he is an icon for the budding players in the hills.Dinker used play as a midfielder and was known for his dribbling and defence splitting through passes only god knows why he was not able to play for any big clubs of the country. Now he has retired form the game and is involved with the United Kurseong Football Club management.

The philosophy at UKFC is that even if the club fails to turn their players into successful professional footballers they should atleast succeeded in making them a good human being and help them find decent jobs. Many boys from UKFC have joined the defence forces and equal number of them is in the police. Though they could not make it big as footballers they have never regretted playing the beautiful game.

UKFC in the present times have gone down a bit but the effort to reach its former glory, or even to surpass it, is in full swing with all the ex-players getting involved. The club also has an under-19 team along with an under 16 side which is known as future hope. The club is also trying hard to find itself a sponsor to sustain itself. There is also a plan to launch its own website in the near future, which will make it the first club with a website in the region. The lack of sponsor is the major problem which the club faces. Till now the club has run on donations collected from its supporters and some entrepreneurs in the region.Chetan Tiwari and Ravi Subba Principals of two well known Public schools of Kurseong along with Raja Banerjee owner of the Makaibari Tea Estate has always helped the club in the times of need.

The UKFC management has big plans for the future. They want to become the next club from this region to qualify for the I-League after Shillong Lajong FC and the preprations have already begun. The executive committee meeting of the club is salted to be held in September which is expected to pass this ambitious plan.

Photograph Courtesy- Keshav Tamang

SIKKIM SEARCHING FOR MORE BHAICHUNGS

This article was originally written for the indianfootball.com in July 2009

Sikkim a state known for its natural beauty is fast becoming one of the most preferred destination for the tourists. But there is more to Sikkim, than just the natural beauty. The landlocked state, which shares its border with 3 countries, also has people who share a common passion for the beautiful game. After all Bhaichung Bhutia was born in this beautiful Himalayan State.

The dizzying heights of success, which Bhaichung Bhutia has achieved over the years, have made every single football lover of Sikkim proud. He has gone on to achieve something, arguably no other person from Sikkim has achieved, bringing back laurels not only to the State but also to the country. But in the year 1998 the Government of Sikkim realized that after Bhaichung Bhutia the state had failed to produce any footballer with a talent to succeed at the highest level of Indian football. So the Government launched a state wide campaign aptly named “Search for more Bhaichungs scheme” and sent coaches to all the four districts of the State to select under-14 players. This campaign was headed by Karma Yougyal the then Deputy Director (Department of Sports and Youth Affairs). After the selection process was complete a Sports Hostel was set up at Namchi (South District Headquarter) in the year 1999 where the selected players were admitted and with it the “Search for more Bhaichungs scheme” started taking shape. The Sports hostel offered the boys all the modern facilities needed for training along with good education as all the boys were enrolled in the Government School in Namchi.Late Solomon Lepcha and Hangu Norden Lepcha who is now the chief coach of Sports Academy of Sikkim were appointed as coaches to train these boys and to turn the dream into reality. Now the Head coach is Suren Chettri with Amos Subba as the assistant coach.

In 2006 another Sports Academy was started in Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, where the graduates of the Namchi Sports hostel were kept as the officials realized that the boys were still not matured enough and the Academy was set up to give some more years of exposure to the boys. Sports Academy of Sikkim is located at Paljor Stadium and boys below the age of 17 years are trained here. The team regularly participates in the National level tournaments across the country along with the annual home tournament, The Governors Gold Cup. The coaching team at the Academy is headed by Hangu Norden Lepcha along with Suresh Mukhia and Milan Singh. In the present times the two Sports Academies work in tandem with the Sports Hostel in Namchi acting as a feeder for Sports Academy of Sikkim.

 Now with years of effort both at Namchi Sports Hostel and The Sports Academy of  Sikkim in Gangtok the “Search for more Bhaichungs” scheme is slowly bearing fruits with the boys making it regularly to the age group national team squads along with other good clubs of the country. Many of the boys have even been taken by the defence forces in sports quotas. Nine Under-14 boys from Namchi Sports Hostel were picked up by the Indian Air Force and have been guaranteed jobs apart from playing for their team. Sanju Pradhan and Nirmal Chettri who are currently playing for the Kolkata giants East Bengal are the most decorated players who have passed out from these two Academies.

The government has plans to set up even more such Academies in the State and keep on searching for more players like Bhaichung.Hopefully the scheme will become even more successful in future.

9th Aaha Gold Cup Kicks Off

9^th Aaha Gold Cup has kicked off in the Western Nepal City of Pokhara from today. This tournament can be called the most important knock-out club competition in Nepal with prominent clubs from across the country participating along with some foreign Clubs.

Aaha Gold Cup is organized by the Sahara Club which has been promoting football in that part of the world for many years now. It also runs an Academy where a considerable number of boys from across the region train. Anil Gurung one of the best strikers to have emerged out of Nepal in the recent times was also a product of this Academy. Anil currently plays for the Indian side Shillong Lajong FC.

This year the Tournament will run till the 29^th of January with twelve teams in the fray. One team from Pakistan will also participate along with Sahara Club (United Kingdom).Winner will get richer by Nepali Rupees two lakh and the runners up will get Rs One lakh.There are also plenty of other individual prizes to be won.

Nepal Police Club has won this tournament five times and are the consecutive champions for the last three years. Manang Marsyandi Club has also lifted this trophy for two consecutive times in 2004 and 05 and other winners include Three Star Club and African United FC.

Aaha Gold Cup has come a long way since its humble beginning in the year 2002.Over the years it has grown into a very prominent tournament of Nepal with Clubs and players looking forward to participating and winning the coveted Trophy. With new sponsors joining in each year coupled with the tireless efforts of the Sahara Club officials it has also started making profits which the Sahara Club intends to use for the promotion of football in Pokhara. People of Pokhara also support this tournament whole heartedly and fill up the stadium right from the first match to the Finals.

It can be said without a doubt that this tournament will grow in stature over the coming years and has the potential to become one of the best tournaments in the South Asian region, only hindrance can be the stadium but there are already plans to upgrade it to the FIFA standards once that happens Aaha Gold Cup can attract even bigger clubs from across the region and in future become the most talked about Football Tournament in the region.