Tuesday, Aug 30, 2022 11:30 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Aug 30, 2022 05:50 [IST]
NAMCHI,: The first All Sikkim Chief Minister's Football Championship 2022 was launched at Bhaichung Stadium in Namchi and other five districts of the State simultaneously on Monday. The tournament across the State was coincided for inauguration with the National Sports Day. The tournament begins for C-division category organized by Sikkim Football Association (SFA) in collaboration with the State Sports & Youth Affairs Department.
A total of 137 matches will be played across 34 block centres with 17-18 clubs with finale converging at newly turfed Paljor Stadium in Gangtok on September 20.
Namchi Municipal Corporation chairman Ganesh Rai declared the State level tournament open at Bhaichung Stadium which saw two matches on Day 1 of the tournament. The opening match was played between Namthang BAC Sporting Club and Mainam Sporting FC where Mainam team emerged victorious 3-1. The second match saw Sinolchu Namchi FC defeating Melli FC 7-2.
National Sports Day also commemorates the birth anniversary of the Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Sports joint director T. Ongmu Bhutia highlighted the importance of the day and the life of Major Dhyan Chand.
SFA president Menla Ethenpa highlighted the negligence in sports sector of the State in the past years. He stated, "The present government is a sporty government who is equally interested in this field and has provided many aid for the development of the sports in the State. All Sikkim Chief Minister's Football League is launched to provide opportunity for the youth from the grassroots level. The focus is mainly on players from rural areas and the Chief Minister has also announced Rs. 50 lakh aid for the tournament in Sikkim".
The curtain raiser event in Bhaichung Stadium also had a drill performance by students of Namchi Girls SSS and a Lepcha folk dance by Namchi SSS.
