GANGTOK: Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Sunday appealed to the state sports ministry and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to provide financial aid to the Sikkim Football Association (SFA) for the comprehensive development of sport in the state.
Bhaichung said football is the main sport for Sikkimese youth, but the state has not even been able to send its team to national events due to a lack of funds.
“Indian soccer captain Sunil Chettri was also spotted by the Santosh Trophy platform, but it is sad to see that talent from Sikkim are unable to compete in these prestigious tournaments due to a lack of finances,” Bhaichung said at a press conference.
Sikkim did not send his team to the Santosh Trophy on the last outing due to financial problems and a lack of training camp facilities outside of the state.
“The weather in Sikkim is very cold, but the tournaments take place in countries with temperatures around 40 degrees. To make a capable team, we have to hold training camps for our players outside of the state for certain periods of time before a tournament, only then will we make it, “said the legendary footballer.
Bhaichung mentioned that the Sikkim Cricket Association received around 15 billion rupees annually from the BCCI for developing cricket in the state.
“If the same type of funding is provided to the SFA, there is no going back (for football in the state),” he said.
He also appealed to the state sports department to dedicate a stadium in Khel Gaon in East Sikkim to the SFA, where the association can hold training and coaching camps for the various age-group footballers, be it men or women.
Bhaichung said football is the main sport for Sikkimese youth, but the state has not even been able to send its team to national events due to a lack of funds.
“Indian soccer captain Sunil Chettri was also spotted by the Santosh Trophy platform, but it is sad to see that talent from Sikkim are unable to compete in these prestigious tournaments due to a lack of finances,” Bhaichung said at a press conference.
Sikkim did not send his team to the Santosh Trophy on the last outing due to financial problems and a lack of training camp facilities outside of the state.
“The weather in Sikkim is very cold, but the tournaments take place in countries with temperatures around 40 degrees. To make a capable team, we have to hold training camps for our players outside of the state for certain periods of time before a tournament, only then will we make it, “said the legendary footballer.
Bhaichung mentioned that the Sikkim Cricket Association received around 15 billion rupees annually from the BCCI for developing cricket in the state.
“If the same type of funding is provided to the SFA, there is no going back (for football in the state),” he said.
He also appealed to the state sports department to dedicate a stadium in Khel Gaon in East Sikkim to the SFA, where the association can hold training and coaching camps for the various age-group footballers, be it men or women.
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