Denzong Boyz and United Sikkim carry Sikkim’s soccer ambitions into 2nd Div I-League

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 16 Mar: Expectations are riding high on Sikkim’s performance in the latest season of the second division I-League. Its presence is also more substantial this year with not only two clubs [against last year’s single club] making it to the grade, but also the fact that Bhaichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh will be playing for Sikkim clubs alongside a smart array of imported players. In fact, local interest in the teams has peaked to a level with enquiries already coming in on match fixtures and venues. If all goes well, Sikkim will explode stronger into the football scene before the season closes.
Making to the second division I-League for the second consecutive year is Denzong Boy’s Football Club [DBFC], joined this season by Bhaichung Bhutia’s United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] which makes its debut in the league this year.

The All India Football Federation [AIFF] has divided the league into three groups of seven teams each with the preliminary qualifying rounds scheduled to be played at Madurai [Tamil Nadu], Ranchi [Jharkhand] and Guwahati [Assam].
DBFC will be playing its qualifying round in Ranchi in a pool which has Md. Sporting [West Bengal], Josco FC [Kerala], Kenkre FC [Maharashtra], Sesa [Goa], Malabar United [Kerala] and Ar-Hima FC [Meghalaya].
USFC, in the meanwhile will be playing in Guwahati against NISA [Manipur], Lansing FC [Meghalaya], Guwahati Town Club [Assam], Southern Samity [West Bengal], Golden Threads [Kerala] and Simla Youngs [Delhi] in its pool.
The top-2 teams from each group will qualify for the final round where they will be joined by Sporting Club of Goa and Lajong FC and finally, the top two teams from here on will get chance to play in the 1st Division I-League.
Both, DBFC and USFC, are approaching the league with all seriousness.
For the past month, the two teams have been on acclimatization training. DBFC has been undergoing rigorous training in Siliguri, while USFC is training in Kolkata.
The 28-member DBFC is now training at Sukna after they moved out from Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri. They are being coached by Thupten Rapgyal Bhutia.
Managing Director, DBFC, Phurba Sherpa, informs that most of the team members have already played for respected clubs in the country and will bring in experience to captilise on the energy of the remaining upcoming and promising players of the State.
DBFC has two players from Cameroon [both of whom have played for their national team] and Liberian player who has also worn the national colours. There is also a footballer from Nepal, fresh from a national football camp there.
The DBFC management is confident that it has a stronger team than last year and now that it has trained in the heat and dust of Siliguri, also better acclimatized for the weather in Ranchi.
USFC, meanwhile, has the India captain, Bhaichung Bhutia, and vice-captain, Renedy Singh, lined up to power its debut in the I-League.
The 30-member USFC squad has Renedy Singh as captain along with four foreign players, nine players from the north-east region and 11 from Sikkim including Bhaichung, one from Darjeeling and the rest from the different parts of the country.
At present the team is based in Kolkata where it is training under Stanley Rozario at the SAI training centre there.
Bhaichung shared that the objective was to revive the love for football and sports in Sikkim so that the local people did not only talk about the football and sports, but also participated in sporting activities.
He also mentioned that it was great news for the state that two teams from Sikkim have qualified for the second division of I-league this year and if either team qualifies for the first division I-League, it would further boost morale and following of the sport in Sikkim.
Bhaichung has also expressed confidence of his team qualifying for the first division this season itself.
Speaking to NOW! Sikkim Football Association general secretary, Menla Ethenpa mentioned that, given the composition of the two teams, there was great expectation from both the teams this season.
He informs that SFA has been receiving requests from football fans from across the state on the availability of tickets for matches featuring the two teams. That is a rare display of excitement and support.
Mr Ethenpa mentioned that professionalism in the football club culture here was the need of the hour and the SFA was thrilled with the initiatives undertaken by DBFC and USFC.
Due to Bhaichung, the nation now identifies Sikkim with football, and the qualifying of two local clubs in the prestigious I-League will help showcase Sikkim football at the national and international levels, he comments.