Rebyna Rana
Gangtok, January 13, 2012

History of Sikkim football dates back to the time when the game was very new and preference to it was low. The first ever football club to win outside Sikkim was the Kumar Sporting club in 1948, which was founded after the name of Prince Paljor Namgyal. Later, Sikkim Football Association was formed in 1976.  In 1973, when Sikkim lost 10-0 to a Goa football team, it was marked as a turning point in the history of Sikkim Football Association. After that particular defeat, Sikkim Football has been constantly improving and expanding.

Presently, a number of football clubs has mushroomed and today the state has its artificial turf. Football lovers can now enjoy the game at the new turf. Club has been holding a summer and winter camp here at Paljor Stadium by grabbing a number of players from the rural and urban places of state. Reason behind holding the camp is to showcase the golden opportunity and enhance the skills of budding players.

At present, the winter football coaching camp here at Paljor Stadium is ongoing. It is being conducted by the Boys club of Gangtok. It started from December 24, 2011 and shall be going on till January 31. The Boys club is the first ever club from Sikkim to have participated in I-League, 2nd Division match, held in Kolkata. Club was formed in 1983 to promote the sports culture in Sikkim and also to provide best opportunities to the budding players. When Sikkim Mail asked about the appearance related to Boys club, Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Department cum Technical in-charge of Paljor Stadium, Thupden Rapgyal said that it is indeed an esteem to have a club like this in the state. It has made its applauded performance by performing consistently. Denzong Boys Club was the 2nd and now, the United Sikkim Football Club is the 3rd club who is all set to participate in League.

“It is a great honour for us to represent state in the League” said Rapgyal. Adding further, Rapgyal said that to craft a curriculum in sports and to consider marks, former players of Boys club, using their own financial sources, has made an incredible effort to hold the winter camp for the budding football players. Club is not aiming to get fame. “Our soul intention is to provide a better platform to the players of state”, assured Rapgyal.

Sikkim Mail

 

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