Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia’s return to professional football

New Delhi: Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia’s return to professional football was marked with success as Sikkim United, team co owned by him rallied to beat Indian Air Force 3-0 in a quarterfinal matchup in the 124th Durand Cup played at the Ambedkar Stadium here, on Friday. Sikkimise striker who came on to play in last 15 minutes of the game received huge roar as he walked towards the centre line to make his professional comeback after announcing his retirement from the international football in August this year. Bhutia replaced his friend Rennedy Singh in the 78th minute of the match with score line reading 1-0. Bhutia away from football for quite some time now did not look that polished as he was, but that did not stop him from influencing the outcome of the match. His first real contribution came in the 85th minute of the match, when he skillfully set up Indian international Sushil Singh inside the box for a goal. Bhutia, who received a pass in the box, cleverly dribbled it past two defenders and passed it on to Sushil just inside the 18 yard box, whose right footer shot, was no match for diving IAF’s goalie MK Jena. With Sikkim United cruising at 2-0, the much awaited moment of the match came when the Indian football stalwart found the back of the net. Bhaichung who did not score a goal since May last year, brought an end to this draught much to the delight of everyone. Daniel Bidemi’s right footer at the target off Sushil's cross from just outside the box, rebounded, and Bhutia seizing the opportunity nudged in a well timed header to find the left corner of the box. Bhaichung looked extremely happy to be playing for the team he partially owns and is enjoying the responsibility. “I am happy with the team. We played well and it was very important for us to clinch three points. It is also very difficult to be playing for the same for the club that you own. The pressure is huge and I have to involve myself with lot of off the field work which keeps me away from the training sessions,” said the former Indian Captain. Bhutia was not fully fit lacked and his magical touch but hopes to get better as he keeps playing. “I am only 30% fit and I did not train for last three weeks as I was travelling. Right now I can only last for maximum 20 minutes, not more than that. So I need to be more match fit before I start playing full game,” said Bhaichung. Bhaichung did not dismiss the whole idea of playing and said that his future participation would depend on the situation of the match. “Yes, I would be around and my chance of playing depends on the situation. If the team is winning, I would not, but then if not then I would have to come,” added Bhaichung.Earlier the first goal of the match came when, Sikkim’s foreign Babatunde John headed one home, just a minute before the break. Sikkim United’s coach Stanley Rozario was very impressed with his boys and strongly feels that the momentum needs to be carried forward. “I am happy with the team. We need to sustain the momentum in order to achieve mileage. I was happy with the way Bhaichung played. But then we missed quite a few opportunities and we also need to work on that as well,” said the Sikkim’s coach. Earlier the first match of the day saw the reigning I-League champions Salgaoncar FC defeat BSF 1-0, with Chidi Edeh scoring the goal in the 75th minute. Salgaoncar who won the recently concluded Federation Cup are the tournament favorites and are vying for their third title in a row

United Sikkim Players reach Delhi for Durand Cup

Gangtok, Oct. 5: A 20-member squad of United Sikkim football club with co-owner Bhaichung Bhutia reached New Delhi yesterday for the Durand Cup, the quake deterring little the players who were determined to fight the panic attacks that followed. The team had been in Siliguri from September 24 to practise at the Kanchenjungha Stadium as the quake had hampered their training in Gangtok. The team could undergo only light training at Gangtok’s Paljor stadium for three days from September 21. “The team is ready for the Durand Cup. All the boys are fit and raring to go after an eight-day training camp in Siliguri. Our first aim is to qualify for the semi-finals,” said chief coach H. Stanly Rozario over the phone from New Delhi. He added that although the team’s preparations for the tourney had been hampered because of the earthquake, the squad is now ready. United Sikkim used to practice daily at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. But the training had to be stopped for six days after the earthquake that killed 60 people in Sikkim and caused widespread damage. “The preparations were a bit affected and the boys were scared. They could not sleep properly for the first few days (after the quake). Every time an aftershock came, they used to run outside their flats,” said Rozario. The club office at Baluwakhani in Sikkim suffered severe damage when the building in which it is located collapsed on September 23 after an adjacent structure tilted on it. Several trophies, cups, computers, kits and other equipment were buried under the collapsed building. On September 24, members of the main squad of United Sikkim travelled to Siliguri for practice sessions at the Khanchenjungha Stadium. The club also played three friendly matches during the camp. United Sikkim had been placed in a quarterfinal group with Indian Air Force and Shillong Lajong. Only one team from the group will qualify for the semi-finals. “Both our opponents are strong teams. The IAF gave a tough fight to Lajong yesterday before losing 1-2. We have to win against IAF and then play the deciding match against Lajong,” Rozario said. The club will play against IAF on Friday and Lajong on October 9. “Our boys have started improving their scoring rate and they had a good outing in Siliguri against the lower sides. We are expecting more (from them) in the Durand Cup,” said Rozario. The finals of the Durand Cup will be on October 15. Senior manager Arjun Rai said the Siliguri camp has prepared the players for the Durand Cup. “The warm weather of Siliguri has acclimatised the players for a similar weather in New Delhi,” he said. Rai added that Renedy Singh, who has been playing as a substitute till now because of his knee injury, will be available for a full match in the championship. “Renedy has played a full match in a friendly game at Nagaland and he is fit,”said Rozario. Bhaichung, who has also not played full matches till now because of a calf injury, played a full game at the exhibition match. “Although he has not recovered fully, we want him to play for at least for some time, especially during the final 15-20 minutes of the matches in Durand Cup. His presence will be a huge boost for our team,” said Rai. With Nim Tshering Lepcha out of the team for a couple of months because of a knee injury, United Sikkim’s Namibian recruit Quinton Jacobs has been handed over the captaincy since September. Apart from Bhaichung and Renedy, the other players to watch out for are Jacobs, two Nigerian strikers Babatunde Oladele and Daniel Bidemi, national team striker Sushil Kumar Singh and defender Gobind Singh.

Independence Day Football Games to kick off from 6th August

Gangtok 19 July: Sikkim Football Association, under the aegis of Home Department, Government of Sikkim will be organising the Independence Day Football Tournament for Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal Memorial Cup 2011 as a part of the Independence Day Programme at the newly laid artificial turf of Paljor Stadium, Gangtok from 6th August to 15th August 2011. In a press release issued by SFA has mentioned that, total number of 8(eight) senior football teams including United Sikkim has confirmed their participation. Amongst them five clubs are local and three teams are likely to take part from outside the state. Senior local clubs as well as teams from outside the state are excited to play in the newly laid artificial turf. SFA is hopeful that the championship are likely to be more contesting this time.

Shankar Mahadevan fine-tunes anthem for United Sikkim Football Club

Gangtok, July 17: United Sikkim Football Club co-owners Bhaichung Bhutia and music maestro Shankar Mahadevan are working on a theme song to attract more eyeballs to the Gangtok based team.

The club has also plans to organise a reality show in collaboration with a national channel and pick up the best band to be a part of the Snow Lions anthem with a pan-India appeal. United Sikkim is popularly known as Snow Lions with the mythical Himalayan animal as the club’s mascot.

The decision to create the anthem was announced here today by Anand Krishnan, the executive chairman of the Dubai-based FidelisWorld, another owner of the club. He said Mahadevan was occupied with musical training of his son at an institution in Boston.

“Mahadevan wants his son Siddarth to complete the three-month course and then work with him for the theme song of United Sikkim. The musician feels his son’s presence will give a youthful exuberance to the song. The boy will be back in August and then the father-son duo will start the work,” said Krishnan.

To give a push to the club’s marketing strategy, the company is pondering a reality show involving the team to develop the theme song. “We want to utilise Bhaichung and Shankar’s image to the maximum. Their participation in the reality show is part of the club’s marketing strategy. We have assets like the club, Bhaichung and Shankar and it will be a combination of Bollywood and sports,” said FidelisWorld chief executive officer Navneet Sharma.

“Music bands will be invited to participate in the reality show and the best one will be chosen to work with Shankar and his partner Ehsaan to create the anthem. The reality show, of three-week duration, will be a pan-India event and the creative thought process is on. We will tie up with a national television channel,” said Sharma.

Bhaichung is not new to entertainment business having participated and won a reality show Jhalak Dikhla Ja broadcast by a national entertainment channel in 2009.

Asked if the theme song would be in English or Hindi, the CEO said: “On this, Shankar will take a call.”

The company believes the multi-starred club consisting of the likes of Bhaichung Bhutia, Reneddy Singh and three national players cannot hide behind any excuse if it fails to break into the I-League top division this time.

“Our team got a short time to prepare for the second division I-League earlier this year. Some players joined us at the last moment. But we did very well. We also understood our weakness and this time, we have tried to address all shortcomings. We are giving everything we can and we have the time to form a great team. There should be no excuses if we fail this time,” said Krishnan.

The executive chairman asserted that no efforts would be spared to transform United Sikkim into one of the best clubs in Asia and the team’s ambitions would not be restricted to just I-League.

“We are better than most of the I-League clubs as we run it like an organisation. We want to make United Sikkim one of the best clubs in Asia. Our focus is on Asia, not just I-League,” said Krishnan.

IInd Division Football S-League 2011@Gangtok

GANGTOK, July 3.The Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Mr. NK Pradhan chaired the inaugural match of the “2nd Division S-League 2011” on 2nd of July here at Paljor Stadium accompanied by the Secretary Sports Department, Mr. Karma P Bhutia, organized by the Sikkim Football Association (SFA).

After a decade, SFA has conducted the I-League matches with great expectation in a newly laid astro turf, for uplifting the budding players from the state. It is learnt that the league will conclude on 27th of August. The first day of the 2nd Division match was played between Central Pandam and Lower Arithang FC where central Pandam defeated Lower Arithang FC by 3 points to nil whereas in the second match UTB FC Jorethang defeated UBFC Rabong with 7 goals against 1. On the second day, that is on 3rd July the match was played between Bhaleydunga FC West Sikkim and Middle Arithang, Bhaleydunga FC scored four goals to nil where as in the second match Brotherhood scored three goal against two and defeated Tathengchen FC. The matches played on the first day of the 2nd Division S- league went well and the most interesting part was that a huge number of spectators were present to see the match.

Deputy Director (Coaching) Sports Department Mr. Thupden Rapgyal while speaking to Sikkim Mailsaid that “We do hope that the 2nd Division S- league matches will be successful and ensure that we have the best team this time selected for playing the first league matches to be played in the days to come ” added Mr. Rapgyal.
A total of 12 teams from across the state have taken part which appears to be a very good participation. Adding further Mr. Rapgyal said that, we had never seen any teams playing with such enthusiasm but the excitement in the players to play and perform in turf is extraordinary; in discovering their skills in this format of game. “We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the State Government for providing such a platform for the footballers here in the capital” was shared by one of the football team
during the match, added Mr. Rapgyal.

Further more Mr. Rapgyal stated that, all the teams are equally competitive and SFA is looking forward in selecting the best two team from this league to perform in the 1st Division I-League matches to be organized in a month’s time.

Bhaichung Bhutia pick-up 30 acre land for football academy near Gangtok

Gangtok: Bhaichung Bhutia has selected and submitted a proposal to the State government for 30 acres of land in Assam Lingzey area, 45 minutes drive away from Gangtok, for his proposed football academy.

“We went to Assam Lingzey yesterday with officials from urban development & housing department and identified the land for my football academy. The officials will now do the paper work. I have asked for 30 acres of land”, said Bhaichung on Friday. He also expressed his gratitude to Sikkim government and Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling for allocating him land for his academy.

Bhaichung had been asked by the State government to select and finalize the required land in Pakyong area in East Sikkim for his proposed football academy. “We have 600 acres of land at Pakyong area and asked Bhaichung to see and select the land for his academy. We will give him the land and that will be our support to him”, Chief Minister had said during a recent media interaction. Assam Lingzey falls under Pakyong subdivision in East Sikkim.
Setting up a football academy in Sikkim is a dream project of Bhaichung and he has been working with the State government on this project for the past couple of years. Once the land is made available to him, Bhaichung will be working in a phased manner to develop the academy in a phased manner.
“Since a sum of around Rs. 5-6 crores will be required to set up an academy with high quality infrastructure with two football grounds with one having an artificial turf, gym and hostel, I will be developing the academy in a phased manner. I also need to find sponsors for my academy. I will start with two training grounds and one dressing room at an initial cost of Rs. 1 crore”, said Bhaichung. He will be developing the academy with United Sikkim, a club of which he is a co-owner.

Bhaichung is planning to develop his academy on the European model where talented kids from academies graduate into professional football clubs like Wayne Rooney did when he first played for Everton. According to this model, talented kids from Sikkim, neighbouring Darjeeling hills and Northeastern region would be spotted and given training by coaches for induction in professional football clubs.

“For example, Sikkim has highly talented football kids but without a club, he cannot be spotted and has to play in national tournaments like Santosh Trophy to attract the attention of professional clubs. United Sikkim will give a platform to local and regional talents, hone their skills and make them play in national tournaments of different age categories. The most talented players will be definitely be recruited by United Sikkim or other football clubs”, said Bhaichung.

The academy also serves to scout and train talented Sikkimese kids to break into the national senior football squad. Bhaichung has been lone Sikkimese in national football senior squad for almost two decades. “Through this academy, I want players from Sikkim to represent the country in international football. The main aim is to have Sikkimese players in the national team and succeed in national and international level”, he said.

(sikkimReporter)

17th Assam Riffles felicitates Soccer Icon Baichung Bhutia

UKHRUL, Jun.11: “The secret of my success is my love of the game”, said Baichung Bhutia, former Indian Football team captain who is also referred to as the Sikkimese snipper in the Indian Football world.

The football striker coined this word while replying to queries by the people of Ukhrul in a public interactive discussion at Ukhrul Somsai. The “soccer Icon” was felicitated by the people of Ukhrul and the 17th Assam Riffles 10 Sector B’ Range Somsai today morning in a function hosted by the 17th Assam Riffles at its recreation hall under the theme “AR Presents Football Clinic by Baichung Bhutia on 11-06-2011 at Somsai”.

The DIG 10 Sector B’Range Somsai Brig. Narender Kumar in his speech expressed his deep appreciation of the “Indian Soccer hero” termed the star as one of the greatest “Icons” touching the zenith position of achievements in India in the arena of Football. The Brig also gave an assurance to sponsor one football talented school children between the age of 8-12 years from any school in Ukhrul to be cared in financially, educationally and especially in football encouraging to follow in the footsteps of Baichung.

The occasion was marked and attended by all ranks and files of the 17tth Assam Riffles led by the DIG and Commanding officer (CO) Col. Beniwal from the Army Sector where as the Ukhrul District Sports Association (UDSA) Officials, Public leaders, tremendous foot-ball fans from Ukhrul district especially the students of UDSA and Ukhrul District media team also participated in the interaction with the Indian star.

A comprehensive “person to person interactive session” was also conducted in an open platform before dessert break served by AR.

There was also an exhibition football match played between students of the district at the Somsai play-field.

The function was conducted by the commander Ukhrul Post Capt. Sushil Kumar followed by a welcome and key-note address delivered by Tennyson a public leader who elaborated on a brief background history of the soccer who was born in Tinkitam(Sikkim) on Dec. 15, 1976 and started his education in St.Xaviers School, Pakyong, East Sikkim and won a football scholarship from SAI at the age of nine.

He played for several local clubs in his home state before he represented and won the best player award in the 1992`Subroto Cup`.

In 1993, at the age of 16 he left school to join the professional East Bengal Club in Calcutta. Two years later he joined to JCT Mills Football Club, which went on to win the Indian National Football League in the 1996-97 season. Bhutia was the top goal scorer in the league, and was chosen to make his International debut in the Nehru Cup.

He was named “1996 Indian player of the year”. He became the 19th Footballer to recieve “Arjuna Award” in 1999. On Jan 26, 2008 he was chosen for “Padma Shree” for his contribution to Indian Football. He has been described as “God`s Gift to Indian Football”.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Lucky Sareo, secretary UDSA. Also footballs were distributed to various Ukhrul local teams by the visiting Indian soccer Icon. The former Indian football team captain is also reportedly to sojourn his stay in Ukhrul for a couple of days with an aim to train the football talented school children whom he is quite familiar with as infact his spouse (life Partner) Madhuri Bhutia who is a product from Ukhrul Savio School plus Ukhrul being the hometown of his colleague former footballer Somatai Shaiza

Sikkim Football Association AGM held in Gangtok

SFA general secretary Menla Ethenpa

GANGTOK, 05 June: The annual general meeting of the Sikkim Football Association was convened today at the European Commission Hall, STNM Hospital complex, here today. With the term of the sitting executive body ending this month, the meeting constituted an election committee headed by Rinzing Ongmu, chairperson, SFA Women’s Wing “to prepare the grounds for SFA election for a new executive body within the month of June 2011”, a press communiqué received from SFA general secretary Menla Ethenpa informs.
The release adds that “to facilitate the process of election” and “as per SFA’s constitution” the sitting executive body tendered their resignation. They will now function as the caretaker body until the formation of a new body.
The three and a half hour long AGM was attended by a majority of the SFA members with voting rights, the release informs.
The meeting discussed a membership drive and decided that memberships will be opened and invited as per the association’s constitution and publicized through the local media. Former SFA president, PK Pradhan, came up with a number of valuable suggestions for the improvement of football in Sikkim which was welcomed by the members, the release highlights.

Tempo Bhutia

The SFA president, Tempo Bhutia, in turn, assured that all efforts will be made to secure a good future for promising footballers from Sikkim.

Earlier, the SFA general secretary presented the annual report highlighting the activities of the previous years and future plans. On behalf of the SFA members and all football-lovers, he also recorded “profuse thanks” for the Chief Minister “for facilitating such a beautiful football turf for Paljor Stadium”.

The SFA expressed confidence that good days were ahead for the youth of Sikkim. Mr. Ethenpa further informed that with the artificial turf at Paljor Stadium, improved Crown Prince Tenzing Namgyal Ground [Guards Groud] and completion of a Football House, SFA is expected to perform much more and in a more professional way in the days to come.

The SFA treasurer, Raj Kumar Thirani, presented the annual audited report and members deliberated on issues relating to future course of action.

The AGM concluded with a vote of the thanks to the Chief Minister, Patrons Hissay Lachungpa and GM Gurung, Advisor Dorjee Namgyal and SFA president and working president.

(Now Daily)

3 Sikkim boys named in Arsenal Soccer Festival squad

16 boys have been named to represent India at the 21st Arsenal International Soccer Festival in London in July 2011. Earlier 30 boys had been short-listed for a two week camp from May 16 to 30 from whom these 16 boys have been picked by coaches from English giants FC Arsenal.

The ‘Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars’ is a national school football tournament which is organised by Tata Tea in association with English Premier League club FC Arsenal London for children aged between 10 – 15 years. The tournament kicked-off on December 14, 2010 and was held across 15 cities – Mumbai, Akola, Bhubaneswar, Indore, New Delhi, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Varanasi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Kozikode, Lucknow, Goa, Gangtok and Shillong with each city having its own elimination rounds, culminating in national finals in Shillong in April 2011.

Sumit Handa, Marketing Manager Tata Global Beverages, announced the 16 shortlisted players who will be participating in the 21st Arsenal International Soccer Festival yesterday at the end of the two week camp. Three boys each come from New Delhi, Chandigarh, Shillong and Gangtok; while two from Bangalore plus one each from Kozhikode and Bhubaneswar. Gur Simrat Singh has been named captain of the squad.

Speaking on the occasion Sumit Handa said, “There is a need for greater visibility of opportunities and options available in Soccer so that young people can respond to their inner calling for this sport. Tata Global Beverages in association with Arsenal FC has worked to create the right environment for players with talent and passion for progress. With Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars we seek to encourage a coordinated approach to Soccer at national and international level.”

Andrew Douglous, the Head of the Arsenal Soccer School, said “We are glad to be associated with such an initiative started by Tata Global Beverages to promote soccer talent in India. This tournament is an incredible platform for the kids who aspire to take the world of sports by storm. It is imperative to build and provide an infrastructure that is able to respond to the individual needs of young people interested in the game of Soccer. This competition is proving instrumental towards identifying and nurturing the talent for the game of soccer. Youngsters should make use of this opportunity to build their future in the game of soccer.”

The Final Indian 16 for the 21st Arsenal International Soccer Festival

Lalruat Puia (New Delhi), Zotham Mawia (Chandigarh), Jamborki Lokai (Shillong), Mani Maran (Bangalore), Nim Dorjee Tamang (New Delhi), Gur Simrat Singh (Chandigarh), Santosh Kumar (Bangalore), Khusen Mangar (Gangtok), Jamshed M.P. (Kozhikode), Sushil Maithie (Shillong), Bibek Bhutia (Gangtok), Abhiraj Vikram Singh (New Delhi), Anuj Yadav (Chandigarh), Tshering Zangpo Tamang (Gangtok), Chester Paul Lyngdoh (Shillong), Niranjan Sardar (Bhubaneswar

Baichung Bhutia's team, United Sikkim lost 1-2 to Vasco Sports Club

SHILLONG: Sporting Clube de Goa became the second team to qualify for first division I-League after Lajong FC with a 2-0 win over local side Royal Wahingdoh in the final round of the second division competition.

National team captain Baichung Bhutia's team, United Sikkim missed out on a berth in the top division as they lost 1-2 to Vasco Sports Club in another last round league match of the second division I-League on Saturday.

Sporting Clube finished second in the league table with 14 points from seven matches behind leaders Shillong Lajong FC (16 points), who had qualified for the I-League top division on Friday.

Vasco finished third in the eight-team final round with 13 points while Arhima Club and United Sikkim were fourth and fifth with 11 and 10 points respectively.

Sporting Clube needed a win from Saturday's match against the local side. Samananda Singh headed home Sporting's first goal in the fourth minute only for Eldon Maquemba to double the lead from the spot in the 15th minute.

In the other match of the day, Vasco were 2-0 up against Sikkim United by the seventh minute with goals through Joy Ferrao who headed in a corner in the second minute and Koko Sakibu.

John D Menyongar pulled one back for United Sikkim, scoring from the spot in the 28th minute.

Incidentally, Sporting Clube de Goa and Shillong Lajong were the two sides relegated from the I-League last year.

United Sikkim hold Ar-Hima 2-2 in I-League match

Ar Hima 2 – 2 United Sikkim


Goalscorers: Stephaniel Lanong 30th and 36th (Ar Hima), Bhaichung Bhutia 63rd and Renedy Singh 71st (both United Sikkim)

Shillong- It was a game of two halves at the JN stadium in Shillong as United Sikkim came back from being two goals down to draw the match 2-2 with Ar Hima.

Stephanfiel Lanong scored two goals in quick successions in the 30th and 36th minute to give Hima a two-goal lead at the break.

However Stanley Rosario’s players came back bravely in the second half with first Bhaichung Bhutia scoring with a right footed strike in the 63rd minute to make it 2-1 and then Renedy Singh scored the all important equalizer eight minutes later.

United Sikkim now have 10 points following the draw and are still in contention for promotion along with fourth placed Vasco, who have the same number of points but a better goal difference.

The two sides go head-to-head in the final round of matches.

United Sikkim to play Ar-Hima on May 11

SHILLONG: United Sikkim earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Southern Samity in the 2nd Division League match played at the Polo ground on Sunday.

The win takes United to nine points from five matches while Southern stay on one point from four matches.

Much against the run of play, Edmilson put Southern ahead in the 14th minute - curling in a free-kick past a diving goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar.

John Menyongar, who impressed with his deft touches, set the equaliser for United. In the 40th minute, he initiated a one-two with Man-of-the-Match Beikhokhei, and the latter placed it past rival goalkeeper Binod Malik.

The winner came as late as the 85th minute. Rennedy Singh who came in as a substitute in the 75th minute found Tenzing in the box and John tapped in Tenzing's pass to seal the fate of the match.

United next play Ar-Hima on May 11 while Southern Samity take on Vasco on May 10.

Meanwhile, in the first match of the day, a lucky Vasco Sports Club survived some anxious moments and managed to hold local rivals Ar-Hima to a 1-1 draw here.

Defender Julis Akpele had put Ar-Hima in the lead as early as the 18th minute only for Ar-Hima midfielder Emannuel Inioyoh to equalise in the 75th minute.

The result leaves Vasco on 10 points from 5 matches while Ar-Hima move to 7 points from as many.

In another match, Churchill Brothers showed little mercy to back-benchers HAL as they won 3-0.

Odafa Okolie opened the scoring in the seventh minute only for Bineesh to double the margin five minutes later. Vincent Kayne completed the rout in the 87th minute.

The victory sees Churchill move to 47 points from 24 matches while HAL languish at the bottom place with 20 points from 24 matches.

Elsewhere in Kohlapur, Air India registered a much needed 1-0 win against JCT Phagwara.

Nigerian striker Okorogor Praise scored the all-important goal in the 54th minute. Following this win, Air India now have 24 points from 25 matches while JCT still stay in the relegation zone with 23 points from 23 matches.

united Sikkim sail past Mohammedan Sporting in I-League

Shillong, May 4 (IBNS) United Sikkim notched up their first win in the Second Division I-League final round when they defeated Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting by a solitary goal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

Former Liberian captain John D Meyongar scored the winner in the 39th minute. The win takes United to six points from four matches while Sporting stay on 3 points from as many.

Meyongar blasted it in off a Lanrin Fela corner-kick. The Sporting defence was slow to react and Meyongar finished it off. The goal came as a relief to coach Stanley Rosario, whose strikers have stayed guilty of missing many in the tournament.

“We should have won all our matches but somehow missed the plot,” Stanley quipped.

“The positive part stays that we have been creating chances. Today, we should have won by a bigger margin. But I’m happy, we have broken the jinx. The boys deserve the win.”

In fact, United were not able to capitalise further when Mohammedan Sporting were down to ten men in the 68th minute after Mumtaz Akhtar was given marching orders.

Bhaichung Bhutia, yet to fully recover from his injury, came in as a substitute for M Suresh in the 80th minute. United next play Southern Samity on May 8.

Referees Killing Football in India:Bhaichung Bhutia

Gangtok: Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia today said that frequent stopping of the game by the referees rob the spectators of the excitement.

"Indian referees are killing the game. When the flow of the game is disrupted frequently, people lose interest. Even I tend to shuffle the channels while watching I-League games at times," said Bhutia in a media interaction here.

Pointing out that the pace of the game is already very slow in India, Bhutia said if "on top of that, the ball tends to go out of the ground quite often and under such circumstances, if a referee keeps stopping the game for minor fouls like two guys jumping for a header... It just kills the interest."

Comparing Indian football to the Spanish and Barclays Premier league games, the skipper said, "The standard of football refereeing in India is far below as compared to any international level. Good referring builds the interest in the game and they should allow the game to flow.

"There is a serious need to change the tempo of the game and referees should be trained to allow the game to flow," he explained.

Criticising the ground conditions in Shillong, Bhutia said, "The turf is difficult. We don't have big body strikers. We play ground passes that the ground does not allow.

A good ground can give some 30-40 per cent lift to the game and people can watch quality football," Bhutia said.

Bhutia's new club Sikkim United has played three matches, all of which resulted in draws so far in the ongoing final leg of the Second Division I League

Sikkim United hold Lajong 2-2

Shillong, May 1 (PTI) Lajong F C split points with new challengers United Sikkim while Ar-Hima trounced Mohammedan Sporting SC 2-0 on the opening day of the round three of the second division I-League here.In the first match, Sikkim United rallied from behind to hold local favourites Lajong FC 2-2.James Giblee gave the lead for the home side in the 15th minute of the game when he converted the cross from Seikhohao Tuboi.Fifteen minutes into the second half, James crossed the ball for Tuboi who made no mistake to find the target and bolstered the margin 2-0.Nine minutes later, former East Bengal striker Beikhokhei took a long range shot from mid field by reducing the margin for Sikkim.In the 86th minute, referee Nasiruddin Ahmed of Assam awarded the spot kick when Lajong defenders brought down John D. Meyongar inside the 24 yard arena.Though Lajong custodian Lalthuammawia Ralte prevented John�s shot from sailing into the nets, during the injury time an unmarked John scored the equaliser when he tapped the header of India star Baichung Bhutia.In the second game, Ar-Hima drubbed Mohammedan Sporting 2-0.The local outfit opened the account in the 26th minute when Zico Zoremsanga gently tapped the cross of Emmanuel Ini Oyoh as rival custodian Rakesh Prasad failed to reach.Oyoh, in the 55th minute of the game, set the ball for Timmy Ryngkhlem who made no mistake to find the target and completed the tally (2-0).With this win Ar-Hima has six points from three matches.On Monday, Royal Wahingdoh will meet Vasco and Southern Samity will clash against Sporting Clube de Goa. PTI

United Sikkim scores a draw with Shillong’s Royal Wahingdoh Sports Club

shillong: Vasco Sports Club humbled Sporting Clube de Goa 3-0 while United Sikkim held Shillong’s Royal Wahingdoh Sports Club to a goalless draw in their second round match of the 2nd Division I-League here on Friday.

In a keenly contested match before a capacity crowed at Polo Ground, United Sikkim held local favourite Wahingdoh to a goalless draw.

Both the teams displayed a brilliant game and the ball was seen going yo-yo right from the first whistle. In the 4th minute, Sikkim’s Beikhokhei got a ball inside the rival goal mouth and took a shot which bounced back hitting the post.

Three minutes later, Wahingdoh’s Ph. Boy Singh took a shot which was saved well by Sikkim custodian Debjit Majumder. Sikkim had come close to scoring in the 16th minute through its skipper John D. Meyongar but he shot it wide.

It was Sikkim who had upper hand in the game but after the breather it was vice-versa and especially towards the dying moment of the game. Debjit Majumder had no easy going under the wooden work as the rivals were raiding him left right and centre.

United Sikkim’s Japanese defender Mitsuki Ichihara was later declared the man of the match.

Referee Debaratan Meetei of Manipur booked Bijoy Das, QN Jacobs, Jiten Rai of United Sikkim and Avinash Thapa of Royal Wahingdoh.

In the first match, Vasco beat their own state club Sporting Clube de Goa 3-0.

Till the breather, the score card was reading 2-0 with Joel Siqueira, who was later declared man of the match, opening the account in the 30th minute and Brazileo Rego in the 41st minute consolidated the team’s position scoring the second goal. Koko Sakibu hammered the last nail on the Sporting Clube De Goa's coffin in the 79th minute.

Southern Samity and United Sikkim are at top of the table

Gangtok – United Sikkim handed a 4-1 drubbing to Gauhati Town Club (GTC) in the 2nd Division National Football League here today.


At the Nehru Stadium here this afternoon, Budhiram Tudu netted in the 18th and 43rd minutes while John D Meyonger struck in the 57th minute. The final goal for Sikkim was netted by Joseph Lapira in the 81st minute. It was Sanjeeva Raonpi who scored in the 40th minute which was the equaliser for Town.

Earlier, in the other match at Nehru Stadium in the morning, North Imphal Sporting Association trounced Simla Youngs of Delhi 3-0. Nabachandra netted two in the 5th and 27th minutes while Maikimnung added one more in the 37th minute in the one-sided affair.

At SAI ground this afternoon, table leader Southern Samity of Kolkata was stunned by Langsing Sports Club of Shillong 1-3.

It was Heman Singh who put the Kolkata outfit ahead in the fifth minute. But they could not maintain the lead as Godfrey Decker drew parity in the 23rd minute. After the equaliser, they got their from back and started raiding the opponent territory quite frequently.

After switching over of the sides the Shillong boys were in peak form and went ahead in the 52nd minute when Sanjoy Chetry fired home. The final salvo was unleashed by Donbok Khymdeit in the 83rd minute.

With today’s results, both Southern Samity and United Sikkim are at top of the table with 10 points each.

United Sikkim Football Club beats Simla Youngs

GANGTOK: Buddhiram Tudu struck twice as debutants United Sikkim Football Club (USFC) defeated Delhi's Simla Youngs 2-0 in the second division of I-League to move into the second position in their pool.
Tudu scored in the 63rd and 71st minutes to help USFC win its fourth match of the league.

Team owner and India captain Baichung Bhutia and Nim Tshering Lepcha also contributed towards USFC's win at the SAI Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.

After two wins, one draw and one loss so far in the tournament, USFC is on the second place with seven points in their pool, which is being led by Kolkata's Southern Samity Kolkata (10 points).

Speaking over phone from Guwahati, USFC's senior manager, Arjun Rai, said that Baichung played a good game in defence to stop the attacks of the opponent team.

"This match was crucial for the team and the players have really proved them in the match. Now it is on the second position with seven points and there is much hope to win our last two matches to enter into the second round in Shillong," Rai said.

The match witnessed huge crowd support for USFC by players of Martam Secondary School and Namchi Senior Secondary School football teams, who are in Guwahati for their matches in another tournament.

USFC is now scheduled to play Guwahati Town Club on April 12 followed by the last match in the pool against Golden Threads on April 14.

Sikkim Sports Academy reaches to finals of Alipurduar tourney

Gangtok, Sept 19 (PTI) Sikkim Sports Academy has reached the finals of the 2nd Kumar Gram Open Football Championship at Kumar Gram near Alipurduar in West Bengal.Playing the semi-final match on September 16, the SSA squad snuffed out the challenge of Kumar Gram Tea Garden Club riding on a hattrick by Bijay Subba.The final scoreline read 5-1 in SSA's favour.Robin Rai and Bhim Tamang scored a goal each to supplement Bijay's efforts.In the final match, scheduled for 19 Sept, SSA will take on Assam FC.

Three Sikkim Football players tested positive for swine flu

KOLKATA: Sikkim's Santosh Trophy campaign received a huge blow on Saturday with three of their players tested positive for swine flu.

Bikas Jairu, Sanjay Chhetri and Sagar Rai tested positive for the disease after they were admitted at the state-run Infectious Diseases Hospital this morning with high fever, according to the local manager of the team Somnath Chatterjee.
"The trio along with Robin Gurung were admitted after complaining of high fever and chest congestion. Gurung however was released but doctors have advised at least five-day treatment for the three players as they were tested positive for swine flu," Chatterjee said.

More than 40 people have been affected of the deadly Influenza A (H1N1) virus in the city so far.

Playing in cluster VI, Sikkim have three points from two matches with one win and one loss and their qualifying to pre-quarterfinals hinges on the result of the match between Chhattisgarh and Haryana on Sunday.