Sikkim Premier Division League to kick-off from June 21 at Paljor Stadium

Saturday, Jun 17, 2023 09:00 [IST]

Last Update: Saturday, Jun 17, 2023 03:21 [IST]

Sikkim Premier Division League to kick-off from June 21 at Paljor Stadium

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK,: The Probo Sikkim Premier Division League is kicking-off on June 21 at Paljor Stadium here with participation of eight clubs. The State’s top football league is returning to action after a gap of two years following Covid pandemic.

Sikkim Himalayan SC is taking on Kumar Sporting Club, Rongneck in the opening match of the league organised by Sikkim Football Association (SFA).

The other clubs are Sikkim Police, Sikkim Unicorn FC, Boys Club, Sikkim Aakraman SC, United Sikkim FC and SAI Namchi.

All the matches are taking place at Paljor Stadium and would be streamed live in Youtube channel Pavilion TV. The channel would also be broadcasting match highlights and player stats.

Sharing details of the league to media here on Friday, SFA president Menla Ethenpa informed that the league winners will receive a cash prize of Rs. 3 lakh besides being nominated by the SFA for I-League. The winners will also get a berth in the State-level Independence Day football tournament and Governor’s Gold Cup, he said.

SFA general secretary Phurba Sherpa informed that as per AIFF rules, each club has to enrol 25 players in the central registration system of the national body. In their squads, each club can have five domestic players from outside the State and remaining 20 players have to be from Sikkim, he said.

In the playing XI, only three players from outside Sikkim are allowed.

No foreign players are permitted in State leagues as per the AIFF.

It was informed that the eight clubs featuring in the State’s premier division are those clubs who had played in the 2019 premier division. There was no relegation that season due to off-field issues and the Police team was declared as the champions.

However, the relegation system is applicable for this season with two bottom-placed clubs to drop down to ‘B’ division. Meanwhile, this year’s ‘B’ division winners and runners up Howlers FC Singtam and Sikkim Brotherhood FC, Ranipool are promoted to the 2024 premier division.

The league sponsor, Probo is an opinion building platform and also promotes sports and sports talents in the country.

“It is an excellent partnership we have with SFA and we hope to continue it for a long period. This is a big opportunity to take Sikkim football to the nation and bring out the football stars from Sikkim,” said Mehak Sethi, compliance officer, Probo/Pavilion TV.

Sikkim at a Glance

  • Area: 7096 Sq Kms
  • Capital: Gangtok
  • Altitude: 5,840 ft
  • Population: 6.10 Lakhs
  • Topography: Hilly terrain elevation from 600 to over 28,509 ft above sea level
  • Climate:
  • Summer: Min- 13°C - Max 21°C
  • Winter: Min- 0.48°C - Max 13°C
  • Rainfall: 325 cms per annum
  • Language Spoken: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Tibetan, English, Hindi