Gangtok: A visit to Gangtok's only surviving football ground is an uplifting experience. This is a ground that's produced the most successful Indian footballer of the modern era - Baichung Bhutia. CNN-IBN's Arijit Sen paid a visit and saw for himself how the footballers are managing their skills, and also their dreams beautifully.
It's a shrill whistle that awoke the Sikkimese Sniper years ago, at this very ground, as he started off on his quest. And even as Baichung Bhutia went on to be Indian football's biggest star, the Gath Ground today lies in wait for the next Baichung to emerge.
"In Sikkim, football is our passion, and Baichung Bhutia has become a superstar of the country, so we are proud of him. All of us like to be like Baichung Bhutia now," says Serap Lama, a former East Bengal player himself.
Sikkim's jewel in the crown - the Governor's Gold Cup - is history. But for the hopefuls, this is still the place to harness their beautiful skills, hoping someday they could strike it big.
"You can see there are more than a hundred people coming to practise here. So it's difficult to practise here," Serap Lama adds.
It's a shrill whistle that awoke the Sikkimese Sniper years ago, at this very ground, as he started off on his quest. And even as Baichung Bhutia went on to be Indian football's biggest star, the Gath Ground today lies in wait for the next Baichung to emerge.
"In Sikkim, football is our passion, and Baichung Bhutia has become a superstar of the country, so we are proud of him. All of us like to be like Baichung Bhutia now," says Serap Lama, a former East Bengal player himself.
Sikkim's jewel in the crown - the Governor's Gold Cup - is history. But for the hopefuls, this is still the place to harness their beautiful skills, hoping someday they could strike it big.
"You can see there are more than a hundred people coming to practise here. So it's difficult to practise here," Serap Lama adds.
(CNN_IBN)
