Ghoom Jorebunglow Sporting Club defeated Mohan Bagan to win I-Day cup

2:48 PM

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sports news

Ghoom Jorebunglow  Sporting  Club (GJSC) won the 68th Independence-Day football cup in Rangpo Sikkim by beating one of the best clubs in India Mohan Bagan. This has shown the presence of the talent in the hills which is not recognized by the State government and the authorities.

Ghoom Jorebunglow  Sporting  Club defeated Mohan Bagan to win I-Day cup
Photo: Voice of Sikkim

GJSC, one of the oldest clubs from Darjeeling, lifted the Independence Day Football Tournament 2014 Rangpo along with Cash prize of Rs 1 lakh from Chief Guest Minister Som Nath Poudyal.

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PYC wins Ravilal Lala Smarak 2014 Football Tournament

9:52 AM

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sports news

PYC club wins the 2014 edition of Ravilal Lala Samarak Football League Tournament held at Mela Ground in Kalimpong.The final match of the tournament was played between St. Augustine School (Kalimpong) and PYC. The match was won by PYC in penalty shootout after it remained draw with no scores from both the teams until the end of the allotted full time and extra time plays.

Football in mela ground Kalimpong

The final match of the tournament was played in the presence of the chief guest Narendra Lama, the GJM convener and Rockvale Academy principle Cpt. PM Pradhan among others. The tournament organised by Kalimpong Sport Association started on June 18 with 12 teams vying for the top honors. The winning team were presented the league shield along with Rs 50,000 cash prize, while the loosing team received a trophy and Rs.25,000.

Source: EOI

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Football Club of Sikkim (FCS) not to boycott any national league

9:18 AM

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sports news

Former national football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia, presently president of the Football Club of Sikkim, today announced the future of youngsters in terms of their football career is very important and hence the FCS will not boycott any national league or tournament as asserted recently by the Sikkim Football Association (SFA) in their press release few days back.

FCS not boycott any national league

He also said local football club members and former players should be granted membership with voting rights in the SFA, which is a valid demand as per the SFA Constitution.

Speaking today at a press meet here at the Press Club of Sikkim, Bhutia said the FCS will not boycott any national league or tournament and instead demanded the SFA to conduct state level tournaments for U-14, U-16 and U-19 players ahead of the 2nd Division I-League and Senior League.

The former skipper noted a single day’s selection process is hardly adequate to adjudge a player’s talents and what is needed is a three-week camp at least in all the four districts of the state. For this endeavour, the FCS is ready to extend every possible help to the SFA, he assured.

The SFA has always given preference to the Governor’s Gold Cup over the leagues and if the same priority is accorded to local leagues, Sikkim’s football will definitely experience a marvelous turnaround and even clinch prestigious tournaments such as the Santosh Trophy, noted Bhutia.

Further, Bhaichung, along with other FCS members, also demanded the immediate resignation of three executive members of the SFA, namely BK Roka, Menla Ethenpa and Karma Yogyal.

“Although I happen to be a member of several international football associations, I feel sad to say the SFA is not accepting me as one of its members and declines to accept my help. I sincerely want to contribute to Sikkim for the benefit of our budding footballers and clubs’, remarked Bhutia.

He added the SFA cannot be termed as a “bad” association, but it has some members who seem bent on not letting the association function smoothly, which is hampering Sikkim’s football prospects. The ace footballer also informed the FCS has written to the AIFF asking the apex body to intervene in the matter, and if the SFA fails to comply despite this, the FCS, according to AIFF guidelines, will form a new association and conduct leagues in the state.

FCS general secretary Phurba Sherpa also noted the SFA has not conducted any sub-junior camps and tournaments as yet. Unless the SFA sits for discussions with the FCS, the latter, which includes all the 13 football clubs in Sikkim, will boycott the state league, he added.

Further, Sherpa urged the SFA to dissolve the existing body and conduct fresh elections citing a number of empty positions within the association after the resignations of several members who were government employees.

“We are not external elements, but concerned individuals and an integrated part of Sikkim football who are selflessly working for the benefit of young players since the past several years to promote both players and the beautiful game,” concluded Sherpa.

Source: EOI

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Jorethang 9th Summer Knockout Football Tournament 2014 kicks off

9:27 AM

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sports news

Jorethang- The 9th Summer Knockout Football Tournament 2014 commenced from Monday here at the Pipaley Government School ground. The tournament has been jointly launched by the Samajik Sadvawna Samithi and the Boys United Football Club of Pipaley.

 Knockout Football Tournament 2014

The main aim behind the tourney is to say no to drugs and alcohol. Organising committee president Ashok Thapa said 32 teams from various areas are participating this year. He said the final will be held on July 11.

Three games were played today, the first between Khaney Sirbbung and Jorethang in which the former won by a goal, the second saw Mabong

scoring five goals against West United Zoom to end 5-1, while the third match was won 4-1 by Ghumauney in the tie-breaker against Sawali Gaon.

Source: EOI

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Girl from Darjeeling scored 5 goals in Asian Football Confederation tournament

11:38 AM

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sports news

Srijana is the star midfielder and much like Messi has a penchant for scoring brilliant goals. In a recently concluded Asian Football Confederation under-14 tournament she scored 5 goals, including a hattrick, in 5 matches... need we add more? 

Srijana is the star midfielder from Darjeeling

Daughter of Saran and Sabitri Tamang from Darjeeling, Srijana and her parents are currently based in Orissa as her father works there, and even though she is only 13, she has already won sporting awards for her brilliant performances. Most notably she was awarded Kumudini Krida Prativa award at the 2nd Sportslogon Sports Award, Orissa in 2013.

Source: DT

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Sunil Chhetri - India's first target should be top-10 in Asia not FIFA World Cup

4:51 PM

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Sunil Chhetri

Ranked 154th in the world, Indian football needs to improve by leaps and bounds. National captain Sunil Chhetri says that the target should be breaking into the top-10 in Asia before the team looks to make a mark globally.

Conceding that India has been left far behind in world football, national team captain Sunil Chhetri said that the country should not think of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in the near future, and instead should aim to be in the top 10 in Asia.

Captain Sunil Chhetri

With the FIFA World Cup just a few days away, Chhetri was asked when would India qualify for that showpiece football event and he was at pains to explain that the country was nowhere near that level.

"It's unfair to compare India with the top football countries in the world. We are far behind in world football," Chhetri said at the launch of an e-magazine at the German Embassy. "Our focus should not be in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup but to be among the top 10 rankings in Asia in the near future. We have to take small steps and first think of rising up to be among the second rung Asian countries."

Further, Chhetri said India's aim should be to rise up to the level of the likes of Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

"We are a dominant country in South Asia. But our standard of football should move ahead of winning SAFF Championships. Our first aim should be to be able to compete with Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

"Then in the next level, we can think of competing the top Asian countries likes Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia who are representing Asia in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil this time," said Chhetri, who will be commentating during the World Cup.

Source: ndtv

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AFC training course for football coaches in Sikkim

9:11 AM

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sports news

The license course for coaches to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ‘C’ commenced today here at the Paljor Stadium. The camp has been organised by the AFC with support from the Sikkim Football Association.

AFC chief instructor M Savio interacing with
trainee coaches in Gangtok.

There are 24 participants in the training camp and they are being guided by AFC chief instructor M Savio from Goa.

Former SFA president Tempo Bhutia conveyed his best wishes to the participants saying he is hopeful the camp will be a success. He urged the participants to undergo training seriously to gain sound technical knowledge.

SFA general secretary Menla Ethenpa said a similar camp was conducted in the state back in 2006 and it had ended quite successfully. The SFA has been successful in bringing the training camp to Sikkim again after eight years, he added.

Ethenpa further informed 38 participants had applied for the course and 24 of them got selected. Even so, the SFA has requested the AFC to hold a second phase of training for the remaining 14 aspirants who have been left out. He stressed about the importance of such training courses for coaches and referees as they should be well versed with the nuances and rules of the game for the overall development of football in the state.

Savio praised the SFA for taking such an initiative while noting the course is a tough one and all participants should work hard and remain completely dedicated. The aim of a coach should be to become a good human being and impart the best to trainees, he added.

The camp will conclude on June 17, added SFA sources.

Source:EOI

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Shyam Thapa Legend of Indian Football

8:43 PM

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Gorkhas in India

An Indian Gorkha, Shyam Thapa,(Nepali: श्यामभक्त थापा), the Legendary Striker who played for both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was born and brought up in Dehradun . The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal has a long and illustrious history. Over the years, a number of players have switched clubs; a handful of these have been equally successful in both teams. An even smaller number of players have found success for both clubs in the all important game – the Kolkata Derby. Shyam Thapa belongs to this elite group. During his peak years, Thapa proved to be equally effective for East Bengal as well as Mohun Bagan.

Shyam Thapa with Pelé

Shyam Thapa first found success with the institutional side of Gurkha Brigade. The Brigade used to be one of the toughest sides in Durand Cup during that era. They won the title for the first time in 1966 and repeated the success again in 1970. A young Shyam Thapa performed brilliantly in the final as Gurkha Brigade defeated Mafatlal Mills 2-1.

His professional football began in 1966, when East Bengal came to play an exhibition match in Dehradun. His performance in that match got him an offer to play in Kolkata. However, the next year, Shyam Thapa joined Gorkha Brigade and was highly successful there. Gorkha Brigade used to be one of the toughest sides in Durand Cup during that era. They won the title for the first time in 1966 and repeated the success again in 1969. He performed brilliantly in the 1969 final as we defeated BSF 1-0.

His performance attracted attention of bigger clubs and he soon rejoined East Bengal. He was the top scorer in Calcutta Football League in 1971, scoring 14 goals.

In 1972 he shifted his base to Mumbai to play for Mafatlal Mills SC. The now defunct football wing of textile giants used to be one of the bigwigs of Mumbai football at that time. Mafatlal also shared a keen rivalry with another big Mumbai club – Tata Sports Club.

Thapa rejoined East Bengal in 1975 – the strongest team in India at that point. East Bengal’s side in 1970s was arguably their most fearsome team of all times and won titles without breaking a sweat. It had brilliant players in each position with the wily PK Banerjee in its helm. They effortlessly swept away every opponent in front of them and enjoyed an unparalleled dominance in the Kolkata derby. Thapa made an instant impact in East Bengal as his brilliant strike ensured the Red and Golds defeated Mohun Bagan in Calcutta League. His two goals led East Bengal to a famous 5-0 victory in 1975 IFA Shield final.

During his first three East Bengal stints, Thapa won the Calcutta League and IFA Shield three times and the Rovers Cup title in 1975. In ’75 East Bengal did the Rovers-Shield-League treble with Thapa scoring crucial goals along the way.

Mohun Bagan Makes Thapa India’s Most Expensive Player

By 1977 the East Bengal juggernaut began to slow down. PK Banerjee joined Mohun Bagan and a string of crucial players followed suit after being suspended from the club due to disciplinary reasons. Bagan had built up a star studded side and looked to turn the tables on their arch-rivals. In his book on EB-MB rivalry, Manas Chakravarty mentions that a reason behind Thapa’s exit from East Bengal could have been the expulsion of players like Sudhir Karmakar and Gautam Sarkar. Thapa was paid a whopping Rs. 50,000 to switch allegiances, a record at that time.

His move to Mohun Bagan was one of the biggest transfer coups of 70s. Shaym Thapa reportedly expressed his desire to play for Mohun Bagan to Pradip Chowdhury, his roommate during nationals. On learning about Thapa’s willingness, Bagan coach PK Banerjee was consulted if he would suit the team. Banerjee was ready to use Thapa as a left-out, as he had used him for India. Mohun Bagan recruiters outfoxed East Bengal officials and signed Thapa on a record fee.

His start in Mohun Bagan jersey was shaky. Bagan slumped to an unexpected 2-0 loss to East Bengal in season’s first derby with Thapa being off colour. Irate supporters didn’t let the players to practice in the open field for a week. PK’s team learnt their lessons from this loss and eventually became unstoppable – winning the treble 1977 and a host of trophies in 1978. In ’78 Bagan scored a monstrous 78 goals in 22 league games (still a record) with Thapa being one of the best players. He scored a hattrick during the 7-0 thrashing of Union Club and settled the derby with a brilliant goal.

Mohun Bagan did well against foreign teams during this era and Thapa often played out of his skin in these games. Bagan’s famous match against former USSR champions Ararat Erevan in 1979 Shield final was one such example. Thapa scored a crucial goal against Pele’s New York Cosmos side when Bagan played out a 2-2 draw.

Heroics in Kolkata Derby

In his career, Thapa scored many, many wonderful goals but in the end his biggest claims to fame remain in his superb performances in the Kolkata derby. He can boast of many crucial goals for both the Green & Maroons and Red & Golds.
Shyam Thapa was one of the primary protagonists in East Bengal’s famous 5-0 victory in 1975 IFA Shield final. East Bengal were up 1-0 when they got a penalty on 11th minute. Thapa stepped up to the spot but his weak shot went out harmlessly. Missing an early penalty in such a high profile match can often dent a player’s confidence but Shyam Thapa was different. He made amends for his miss with two brilliant poacher’s goals on 24th and 51st minutes. Another one of his brilliant derby goals settled the race of 1975 Calcutta Football League. He got past three Mohun Bagan players with a superb inside dribble before curving the ball into the net with his left foot.

After joining Mohun Bagan in 1977 his ability to rise to the occasion didn’t desert Thapa. Having weathered a rough start it was his goal that earned Mohun Bagan their first Shield title in 1970s. Famous journalist and author Moti Nandi described this goal in ’77 Shield final in an incomparable manner. He compared Thapa to a “white tornado” due to the manner in which he accelerated past two East Bengal defenders and eventually flummoxed Bhaskar Ganguly with a delicate body feint. The same year he again scored a brace as Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal in Rovers Cup semi-final.

The following year he scored arguably his most famous derby goal in Calcutta League. On 41st minute Subhas Bhowmik launched a cross towards Thapa with the latter’s back turned towards the goal. Thapa met the ball with an incredible bicycle kick rooting Ganguly to his spot. Nandi wrote, “Just like glimmering white foams on a swollen wave a boot came out of a green and maroon wave and made contact with the ball. I have never seen Shyam take a more perfect bicycle kick”.

By 1980 Shyam Thapa was past his physical prime but his instincts were still in place as he continued scoring goals. He was part of the reserve bench in the ill fated derby match on 16th August 1980 when 16 fans lost their lives due to crowd unrest in Eden Gardens. In 1982 he was awarded with the Mohun Bagan captain’s arm band. Under his captaincy Mohun Bagan won the Federation Cup, Durand Cup and IFA Shield. In 1984 he made a final switch and played his last season in East Bengal.

Shyam Thapa with P.K Banerjee after
 1975 Shield Final

Shyam Thapa had a brilliant record in club level but has less international success in comparison. During his early years he won a bronze medal in Asian Games football in 1970 but that would remain as his only international trophy. Thapa’s peak years coincided with a particularly unstable period in Indian football when the Federation struggled to find a good coaching combination. As a result of managerial carousel a generation of extremely talented players who enjoyed their best form in 1970s missed out on glory for the national team.


Shyam Thapa the Coach

Thapa quickly shifted into a managerial role after leaving the game by obtaining a coaching diploma from English FA in 1987. Like his senior career, his coaching stint also started with East Bengal. In 1988 he took over India Youth team. Thapa’s experience with youth football came in handy three years later when he became part of several projects related to youth football.

When Mohun Bagan launched the Mohun Bagan-SAIL Academy in 2003, Thapa was announced as the coach. In mid-2000s he took over the Nepal youth team after their worst ever performance in SAFF Cup. Thapa’s success with the junior team led him to get the job of coaching the senior team for AFC Challenge Cup 2006. Nepal performed wonderfully in the Challenge Cup, defeating India 3-0 in quarter-final to reach the last four. A loss to Sri Lanka in tie-breaker prevented Thapa’s team from reaching the final. Other than Sayeed Nayeemuddin, who coached Bangladesh, Shaym Thapa is the only Indian coach to have coached a foreign national team. Sadly, Thapa’s reign in Nepal coincided with a volatile political situation in the country, preventing him to unearth more talents via the youth system.

After leaving Mohun Bagan-SAIL Academy Shyam Thapa joined Tata Football Academy, taking over as technical director on 1st July, 2009. He resigned from TFA in October 2009 in order to pursue his long cherished dream of promoting football in North Bengal. Till 2008 he was the director of Asian Football Federation Youth Development Programme. During his short tenure in TFA, Thapa guided the boys to one of their most famous victories; beating East Bengal 3-1 in IFA Shield.Thapa continues to work at grass-roots level and has been trying to set up a football Academy in politically unstable North Bengal for a long time.

In 2009 Shyam Thapa’s hopes of starting the Academy got a shot in the arm when he had a meeting with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung and also managed to acquire a ground to set up the academy. His initial plan was to start an academy with 40 footballers, divided into two age groups — U17 and U20. He had plans to branch out across the region through 10-12 non-residential centres, which would function under the direct assistance of the academy. Sadly, subsequent political problems saw his shelve those plans temporarily. In a time when some of his contemporaries have moved away from the game, Thapa toils ceaselessly for the betterment of Indian football at grassroots level. He is truly a legendary figure.



Sources: thehardtackle.com 

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Sunil Chhetri is on the verge of surpassing Bhaichung Bhutia’s record

5:35 PM

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Sunil Chhetri

India and Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri is on the verge of surpassing Bhaichung Bhutia’s record of scoring most goals by an Indian in a single edition of the National Football League (NFL) or I-League. The Indian football icon scored 14 goals for JCT in the inaugural NFL season in 1996-97 and that tally is yet to be bettered.

Bhaichung and Sunil Chettri - Photo Credit: AIFF Media

Sunil’s current tally this season is 13 and he has four matches to score two more and break the 17-year long record. The Arjuna Awardee has already equalled the record of most goals scored by an Indian in a single I-League season (since 2007-08).

Previously Mohammed Rafi (Mahindra United – 2009-10) and Jeje Lalpekhlua (Indian Arrows – 2010-11) have scored 13 each in one campaign.

Sunil is also aiming to become only the third Indian to finish as the highest scorer in a single NFL or I-League season and the first to do so in the I-League era. The first two editions of the NFL – Bhaichung Bhutia (1996-97) and Raman Vijayan (1997-98) – saw Indians finishing as top scorers but for the last 15 seasons that accolade has gone to a foreigner.

Here is a complete list showing the Indian highest scorer in each campaign. Bhaichung has been the top scorer from India on five occasions while Sunil and Raman Vijayan have achieved it twice each with the former set to do it for a third time this season.

Season	Player	Goals
1996-97	Bhaichung Bhutia (JCT)*	14
1997-98	Raman Vijayan (FC Kochin)*	10
1998-99	Raman Vijayan (East Bengal)	10
1999-00	Francis Silveira (Churchill Brothers)	10
2000-01	RC Prakash (Mohun Bagan)	10
2001-02	Praveen Kumar (Punjab Police) & Alex Ambrose (Salgaocar)	7
2002-03	Ashim Biswas (Tollygunge Agragami)	11
2003-04	Bhaichung Bhutia (East Bengal)	12
2004-05	Bhaichung Bhutia (East Bengal)	9
2005-06	Bhaichung Bhutia (East Bengal)	12
2006-07	Sunil Chhetri (JCT)	11
2007-08	Bhaichung Bhutia (Mohun Bagan)	9
2008-09	Sunil Chhetri (East Bengal)	9
2009-10	Mohammed Rafi (Mahindra United)	13
2010-11	Jeje Lalpekhlua (Indian Arrows)	13
2011-12	CS Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows)	9
2012-13	CK Vineeth (United SC)	7
2013-14	Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)**	13

* Finished as overall highest scorer

** Season still active

13 more

The reigning AIFF player of the year still needs 13 more goals to become the highest Indian scorer in the combined history of the NFL and I-League. Unsurprisingly that record also belongs to Bhaichung, who has scored 88 times, playing in 12 editions for four different clubs – JCT, East Bengal (three spells), Mohun Bagan (two spells), and United Sikkim (as player, coach and co-owner).

Sunil is also in his 12th top-flight campaign and has featured for seven different clubs – Mohun Bagan (twice), JCT, East Bengal, Dempo, United SC, Churchill Brothers and Bengaluru FC and has 76 goals to his name. In two of those seasons he has played on loan from foreign clubs in only the latter parts of the campaign – (Kansas City Wizards to United SC in 2010-11) & (Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ to Churchill Brothers in 2012-13).

Source:Sportskeeda

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14th All India Brigade of Gurkha Gold Cup football tournament kicked off

9:36 AM

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sports news

The inaugural match of the 14th ‘All India Brigade of Gurkha Gold Cup’ football tournament that kicked off today at the Gorkha Stadium, Lebong saw Aryan Club of Kolkata easily overcoming the challenge posed by Kalighat Milan Sangh to win 2-1.

Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan 'kicking' the footbal
tourney open on Friday

The tournament that resumed in 2010 after a 25-year gap is a crowd puller and the brainchild of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. The GTA youth and affairs department and the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Sport's Association (DGHSA) have been jointly organising the extravaganza.

The tournament could not be held last year due to the statehood agitation and was shifted to the current year and will continue till March 9.

Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan flagged-off the tournament in the presence of GTA deputy chief executive Col (Retd) Ramesh Allay and a sea of spectators amidst loud cheers.

"I wish all the participating teams well and urge them to play in the spirit of the game. The GTA hopes more teams will participate in future editions of the tournament," said Dewan as he announced the 10-day event open.

A scene from one of the two matches played on Friday.

The second game played between home team GTA XI and Southern Samity from Kolkata saw the latter winning by a solitary goal during a riveting extra time.

Twelve teams including the home side are participating in this year's tournament and the prize money has been increased to Rs3 lakh and Rs2 lakh for the runners-up along with trophies.

The ongoing tournament is an effort to make up for last year's gap and the 15th edition of the Gold Cup will also be held this year, around September-October, informed the organisers.

Source:EOI

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Gorkha Gold Cup football tournament to resume

7:01 PM

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sports news

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has decided to resume the All India Brigade of Gorkha Gold Cup football tournament from this year. The annual event had been skipped in 2013 due to the political unrest that had swamped the Darjeeling hills.

Dawa Lama announcing the 14th All India Brigade of
Gorkha Gold Cup Football Tournament in Darjeeling 

Popularly known as the Gold Cup, the GTA sports and youth affairs department restarted the event in 2010 after a gap of 25 years. The last big tournament was held way back in 1985 following which the 28-month statehood agitation started. But even after the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in 1988, the tournament had failed to resume.

The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Sports Association (DGHSA), one of the tournament organisers, today announced the 14th edition of the Gold Cup would be held from February 28 to March 9.

"It was unfortunate that we could not hold the 14th Gold Cup tournament last year due to the political situation. Hence, we decided to hold it in February-March to compensate for the gap," said DGHSA president Dawa Lama.

This year, the organisers have fielded the GTA 11 and also roped in top teams from Kolkata. The 12 participating teams are Southern Samity, Eastern Railways, Peerless Sports Club, Aryan Club, Kalighat Milan Sangh and Dalhousie Athletic club, all from Kolkata. The remaining participants are Neroca from Manipur, ONGC Mumbai, Odisha 11 and Jammu and Kashmir Sports Club.

The prize money has also been increased this year, with the winners to receive Rs3 lakh and the runners-up Rs2 lakh along with trophies. Meanwhile, all participating teams will get Rs15,000, Rs20,000 and Rs25,000 during the league phase according to the progress they make.

"Apart from this, the teams will also be provided free food, lodging and conveyance for the duration of the tournament," informed Lama.

The DGHSA president also said the 15th edition of the tournament is slated for September-November of this year as usual.

"Since we missed out on a year, we have decided to host the tournament again later this year on its traditional date. This means we will have two Gold Cup tournaments this year,” he said.

Source:EOI

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2nd Sukbir Rai Memorial Football Tournament kicked-off - Kalimpong

10:30 AM

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sports news

The 2nd Sukbir Rai Memorial Football Tournament today kicked-off in Kalimpong. The Kalimpong Veterans’ Club started this annual tournament in 2013 exclusively for motor vehicle drivers of the region. There are 13 participating teams in this year’s tournament.

Sukbir Rai Memorial Football Tournament

Various driver associations from town and its surrounding areas will be seen exhibiting their football skills at the Mela Ground over the next few days, with the final match to be played on February 13.

The first match was played this afternoon between Algara-Pedong Drivers Association and Thanadara Drivers in which the former emerged victorious. It was presided over by Drivers Maha Sangh president Tshering Bhutia, while municipality councilor Pradip Pradhan was the chief guest. 



Source : (EOIC)

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Gorkha football Final Meet cum Meghe Mela 2014 kicks off

10:48 PM

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sports news

The Gorkha football Final Meet cum Meghe Mela 2014 began at Taphou Naga Local ground, Senapati on Tuesday. The event will continue till January 20. This meet cum mela is being organized by the Gorkha Automobile Owners and Driver’s Union and hosted by the LVTO and DU under the theme, “Let’s Unite and Revive and Preserve our Culture”.

Gorkha football Final Meet cum Meghe Mela 2014 kicks off

VS Joseph Vemai, the founding president of Association for Poverty Upliftment of North East India was the chief guest of the mega event.  He appealed to the public to live together harmoniously and learn from the past and avoid discrepancies further stating that we are all one.

Dr. Puspa Rai - Chief Medical Officer, Senapati, Krishna Kr. Kadariya - Asst. Comdt., Camp Commandant HQ Inspector General Assam Rifles(South), Pradeep Rizal - president, All Manipur Gorkha Students Union, Rev. Deepak Bardewa - Executive Secy. NGBCA were the guests of honour.

Dr Pushpa Rai exhorted that it was good to see a revival of our culture. The exhibition football match by women is a good example for the upliftment of the womenfolk, she commended. She also hoped that the men folk would continue to support and promote the welfare of the women.

Krishna Kr. Kadariya affirmed that this occasion is not only for the sports but a mass gathering of the Gorkhas coming together to share joy and Happiness. “We are one”, stressed Kh. Tailu, Chief of Taphou Naga in his exhortation speech.

Robert T. Maram, president of SDOAM the presiding officer of the programme brought the greetings of the Naga Peoples Front to the Gorkhas. He asserted that the Gorkhas were known for their beauty, sincerity and a hardworking culture. In the last 100 yrs of co-existence, the Nagas and the Gorkhas have been living together harmoniously he also added. He further stated that he will support and extend his helping hand.

The chief guest announced that he would fund the education for orphans and disabled who were not able to afford education but have the inherent interest to study. He asked the concern members or organisation to approach him for such help. He applauded the organization for promoting such an event to celebrate culture and sports. In sports universal brotherhood is illustrated.

The mela witnessed a display of traditional attires of the Gorkhas and various tools used by them. The cultural exhibitions were a feast to the eyes. The Mega Event also fortuitously coincided with Makar Sankranti Festival, a festival of Light. Kukri dance, Magar dance, Tamang dance, karate dance were performed in the event. It was quite an exhibition of Unity in Diversity. The Gorkhas from Manipur with varied colourful traditional attires embellished the event for the sports meet. Though first of its kind the unity of the people and cultural harmony displayed was accounted for thus making it a Red letter day for the Gorkhas. The events of the day concluded successfully with the inspection of the mela by the chief guest and an exhibition match by women.

Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

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Inter-Constituency Rural Football Tournament 2014 quarterfinal matches

10:36 AM

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sports news

Two quarterfinal matches were played today at the ongoing inter-constituency rural sports festival organised by the Maghey Sankranti Festival Committee 2014 that kicked-off from January 2 here at Jorethang.

Scene from one of the quarterfinal matches played on Monday.

The first match was played between Yaksom Tashiding and Yangthang where the former won 5-4 in a tiebreaker. The second and very interesting contest took place between Daramdin and Gyalshing where the former dominated, with the match-winning goal coming from Sanjay Subba in the 47th minute.

Kamal Chettri, Sports Joint Director (S/W) cum Maghey Mela general secretary, informed Tuesday will witness a girls’ football exhibition match between Nepal XI and Sikkim XI and chief minister Pawan Chamling will be present as the chief guest.

One of the quarterfinal matches that was played on Monday.

Further, the first female Indian Idol, Saurabi, will also perform at a cultural programme on January 16. Chettri also informed that the chief minister will formally inaugurate the Maghey Sankranti Mela on January 14 flag-off the football final on January 16.

The semifinal matches will be played on January 15 comprising games between Salghari Zoom and Yangthang and Melli and Daramdin.





Source:EOI

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Inter-Constituency Rural Football Tournament 2014 reaches semis

11:44 AM

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sports news

Two quarterfinal matches of the ongoing Inter-Constituency Rural Football Tournament 2014 were played at the Jorethang Ground here today. The first match was played between Salghari-Zoom and Rangang-Yangang, while the second match featured Melli and Berfung.

A glimpse of the quarterfinal match played in Jorethang on Sunday.

In an exciting match, Salghari-Zoom won the quarterfinal through a tiebreaker by 5-4 and progressed to the semifinal. Meanwhile, in the second match, Berfung team dominated the proceedings and won the match by 2-0 to make a place for itself in the semifinal.

The other two quarterfinal matches of the tournament will be played on Monday, the first match will be between Yaksom-Tashiding and Yangthang, while Daramdin and Gyalshing will lock horns in the second. The final match of the tournament, organised by the Jorethang Maghey Sanskrati Mela Committee, is scheduled to take place on January 16, 2014.

Source:EOI

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United Sikkim signed up seven new players

9:56 AM

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sports news

Gangtok, Jan. 10: United Sikkim has signed up seven new players, including former international-level footballers Sur Kumar Singh and James Singh, with an eye on the upcoming Federation Cup.

United Sikkim players along with Bhaichung Bhutia (standing seventh from left) and the
 club officials at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok on Friday. Picture by Prabin Khaling

Inclusion of striker Enock from Nigeria and attacking midfielder Adeleja from Ghana will give teeth to the club also known as Snow Lions — the animal is United Sikkim’s mascot.

The team will leave for Manjeri in Kerela tomorrow for the Federation Cup that starts on January 14.

The tourney is being organised by the All India Football Federation.

Footballers like Sukwinder Singh, Dharamjit Singh and goalkeeper Diptendu Sarkar will give new options to coach S. Ekendra Singh from Manipur who joined the club a week back.

“We are looking forward to the Federation Cup. We have strengthened the squad with seven new players and it is a great opportunity for them to show their talent against bigger clubs. I hope that the players will help the club progress from the group stage and also benefit themselves by getting noticed by the bigger clubs,” United Sikkim co-founder Bhaichung Bhutia said.

Coach Ekendra, senior manager Arjun Rai, physio Sheril Lepcha and assistant manager Nar Bhupendra Kewa would accompany a 20-member squad of United Sikkim to Manjeri.

In the tournament, the Sikkim club is in Group D along with Former I-League champions Dempo, Mohammedan Sporting Club and Bhawanipore Football Club.

“There is positivity in the team with the signing of the new players. We are optimistic about the tournament,” said Rai.

Only one squad from each of the four groups would go to the semifinal stage in the 16-team championship.

“I have taken charge of the team only five days back but my aim is very high. With the help of the players, I will give my best for the tournament,” said Ekendra, the former coach of Sporting Clube de Goa.

“The players are new to me and at the moment, it is difficult for me to assess each one of them individually. I hope the footballers will deliver at the Federation Cup and continue their momentum for the upcoming second division I-League matches,” he added.

Local footballer Milan Lepcha is captaining United Sikkim for the Federation Cup.

Bhaichung said: “We got very little time to train the new players with the other footballers of the team. The combination may take time to click but our new players are experienced and I am sure they will adjust well.” Bhaichung would not travel to Kerela with the team. He will be in Delhi where the Under-14 United Sikkim team would play at the India leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup.

source-Telegraph

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Jorethang Inter-Constituency Rural Football Tournament 2014 kicks off

10:58 AM

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sports news

The Inter-Constituency Rural Football Tournament 2014 organised by Maghey Sankranti Festival Committee kick started today at Jorethang playground. The tournament was inaugurated by Namchi Singithang MLA Binod Rai in the presence of Zoom Salghari constituency MLA Madan Ciintury, Joint Director of Sports (South/West) Kamal Chettri and Tourism advisor NK Subba among several others.

The first match was played between Zoom-Salghari and Maneybong Dentam. Zoom-Salghari won the match 1-0 to reach the next round. Meanwhile, Poklok Kamrang team won the second match through a walkover.

Joint Director of Sports Kamal Chettrii informed Arithang and Temi Namphing will play the first match on the second day tomorrow, while Chujachen and Namcheybong will play the second match. He added a total of 31 teams have participated the tournament. Namchi Singithang MLA Binod Rai emphasised on the importance of the inter-constituency sports competitions and said the tournament is being held to improve sports at constituency level and to improve relations between the different constituencies.

Source:EOI

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Darjeeling Police-Public Friendship Knock-Out Football Tournament 2013

10:29 AM

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sports news

Kurseong -The Champion of the Champions will be felicitated and awarded by the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee in Darjeeling on January 22, informed ASP (Headquarter) Darjeeling, Sudip Sarkar at Goethals Memorial School Ground in Kurseong today.

Lodhama Sporting Club and UKFC Kurseong teams with the guests.

Sarkar was in Kurseong as Chief Guest to witness the final match of the Darjeeling District Police-Public Friendship Knock-Out Football Tournament 2013 organized by Kurseong PS  with the help of different associations and organizations as well as individuals.

After today’s match, ASP Sarkar appreciated both the teams and said that all the winning teams of the four sub divisions will play against each other in Darjeeling very soon and later accordingly; the final champion team will be felicitated and awarded by the CM on 22 January in Darjeeling.

The final match was held between Lodhama Sporting Club, Darjeeling and United Kurseong Football Club, (UKFC), Kurseong, in which, after a competitive match, UKFC Kurseong was victorious by scoring a brace against one goal (2-1).

The Kurseong SDPO, NN Bhutia said that the police too are human like others. Hence to create a bond of friendship between the public and the police force such a tournament was organized under the initiative of the state CM.

UKFC Kurseong team with the winners trophy in Kurseong on Sunday.

Bhutia further added that for the past several months our region was in constant unrest, hence, we hope that such kind of initiatives may help in bringing peace to the hills as well as create a friendly environment between the public and the police.

He further informed that following the same aims and views, such a tournament was organized at the four sub divisions in the hills viz. Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Kurseong and Naxalbari Rural sub division.

Both the winner and runner up were felicitated and given mementos and trophies by the hands of different distinguished guests after today’s final match.

ASP, Sarkar also informed that with the same motto, they have been planning to organize different programs and accordingly on 12 January, they will organise an open to all 13 km long ‘marathon’ in Darjeeling, in which, the winner will be rewarded reportedly with a handsome amount of Rs. 1.5 lakhs and the 2nd and the 3rd place winners will be rewarded tidy sums as well.

Source : EOI

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First Saheed Gold Cup Football Tournament organised by Kurseong Gorkha Hill Sports Association

9:56 AM

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sports news

Kurseong Gorkha Hill Sports Association with the help of Sports and Youth Affairs Department GTA is organizing the first Saheed Gold Cup Invitational Knock out Football Tournament from 12 January 2014 at Goethals Memorial School Ground.

Saheed Gold Cup Football Tournament from Jan 2014

The winner and runner up of the tournament will be awarded with cash prizes of Rs.1 Lakh and Rs.50,000 respectively, with citations and trophies.

 As per the organizing committee, national teams like BSF Jalandhar, Gorkha Brigade Lucknow, 58 GTC Shillong, Africa XI, Kolkata, North Bengal Armed Police, Kanchanjunga FC Siliguri, Sinalchi FC Namchi Sikkim, Super Star Darjeeling, UKFC Kurseong and Kurseong super league Champion Trishuli Football Club and Share football xlub Kalimpong and the football teams from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh are expected to participate in the tournament.

Notably, Kurseong Gorkha Hill Sports Association had been organizing various sports activities on a yearly basis including Kurseong League Championship, Women’s Football tournaments, Men’s Veteran Tournament, Cricket Tournament, Cricket Coaching Camps for under 14 boys under the guidance of Cricket Association of Bengal, Independence Day Football and Marathon. Besides Badminton, Carrom, Volleyball and Chess tournaments for the boys and girls are also held for the development of sports in the region and benefit for the people of Kurseong and sports lover. (EOIC)

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Sunil Chhetri named 2013 Player of the Year by AIFF

8:56 PM

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sports news

Sunil Chhetri, the Indian national football team captain  was Friday named the 2013 AIFF Player of the Year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at AIFF headquarters, the Football House here.

Sunil Chhetri named 2013 Player of the Year by AIFF

The announcement was made by AIFF president Praful Patel. Chhetri was chosen the winner after voting by Airtel I-League coaches.

Chhetri will be presented a prize of Rs.2 lakh besides a trophy.

The Indian captain, presently India's highest-ever goal-scorer in international football on 43 goals had earlier won the award twice, in 2007 and then in 2011. In the process he joins IM Vijayan to have won the award thrice each.

Oinam Bembem Devi was adjudged the 2013 AIFF Women's Player of the Year. Bembem Devi was the only recipient of the award the sole time it was announced in 2001.

The 33-year-old Bembem Devi will be presented a prize of Rs.1 lakh and a trophy.

AIFF also declared Jeje Lalpekhlua as the 2013 Emerging Player of the Year. The 22-year striker from Mizoram has already donned the national jersey 43 times scoring 14 goals so far.

All the Awards would be presented in an awards night in February organised by FICCI.

Dna

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