Sunday, Nov 24, 2024 21:30 [IST]
Last Update: Saturday, Nov 23, 2024 16:00 [IST]
GANGTOK,: History beckons for Gangtok Himalayan SC as they prepare to face Northeast United FC in the title decider of the 40th Governor’s Gold Cup this Sunday afternoon at the packed Paljor Stadium.
“You have a tremendous opportunity to make history for Sikkim. The entire team must stay focused for this historic match. Play your best game tomorrow. Play for Sikkim, for yourselves, and for your families,” said an impassioned Tenzing N Lamtha, owner of Gangtok Himalayan SC, addressing the squad during a pep talk on Saturday morning ahead of their final preparations.
For Gangtok Himalayan SC, the final is a shot at redemption. The team is determined to lift the prestigious Governor’s Gold Cup for the first time, after narrowly losing to Kolkata’s Mohammedan SC in a hard-fought final in 2019. Four years on, some players from the 2019 squad remain, and they are eager to make amends.
Among them is captain Kunal Tamang, a key figure in both the 2019 final and the current campaign.
“We are thrilled to be in our second final. Although we fell short in 2019, we are confident that this time, with the hard work, preparations, and the strength of our squad, we will bring the trophy home. We're also counting on the support of the home crowd to give us the extra boost we need,” said Kunal.
Coach Kamal Bagdas shared similar sentiments, noting that the team is ready for the big challenge. "We have completed all our preparations for the final. I've been telling the players that the trophy is within our reach—we just need to give our best performance. The key now is to capitalize on the advantage of playing on home turf and leverage the support of our passionate fans,” Bagdas said.
Historically, the Governor’s Gold Cup has been elusive for Sikkim-based teams, with only one local side—GMC—winning the coveted trophy in the tournament's inaugural year in 1979.
“We’ve put together a strong squad in consultation with the coach and our officials. After 40 years, we are hopeful that a Sikkim-based team will once again lift the Governor’s Gold Cup. We are looking forward to the incredible support of the crowd, which can make all the difference,” Lamtha, also the Shyari MLA.
