Bhaichung brings Belgian coach Phillippe De Ridder to groom USFC for greater glory

FOOTBALL ACADEMY WILL COME UP IN SIKKIM, BHAICHUNG CLARIFIES
GANGTOK, 02 Dec: Coach Phillippe De Ridder from Belgium has been appointed as the new Chief Coach of the United Sikkim Football Club [USFC]. This was announced by the co-owner and CEO of the club, Bhaichung Bhutia, at a press conference here today.

A former East Bengal Club chief coach, Mr Ridder has coached various clubs in Belgium, USA, Argentina, Brazil and Spain. In India, he has coached East Bengal and Chirag United and groomed East Bengal to victory in several prestigious tournaments.
He was an accomplished player in his younger days and represented Belgium in Under-12 and Under-20 teams and also featured in Belgian line-up for the U-18 European Championship. A serious injury, however, ended his playing career, leading him to retire as a player and start coaching.
Addressing media-persons today, Bhaichung highlighted that during Mr Ridder’s coaching, East Bengal won several prestigious cups and performed consistently well in various tournaments. He added that Mr. Ridder’s rich experience will help the USFC players substantially.
Mr. Ridder, in turn, mentioned that he enjoys a close friendship with Bhaichung and respects his professionalism and thus wants to coach USFC to a respectable ranking. He also stated that he would try to bring even more professionalism in the club.
Commenting on the USFC team under his charge, Mr. Ridder said that the team looked sharp and adept and that he would work hard to make it even better. His first target was to help the team break into the I-League.
Meanwhile, responding to media queries on his football academy, which has resulted in some confusion with one announced for Siliguri as well, Bhaichung clarified that the football academy in Sikkim was still on the cards and mentioned that the club has identified land in Assam Lingzey, the acquisition of which was being processed by the concerned authority.
“I am very positive about the State government’s response and that the academy will come up soon in the State,” he said.
However, he mentioned that Sikkim has recently faced a big loss due to the earthquake, so understandably, the focus and priority of the government at present was on helping people recover. He also accepted that the requirement of land for the football academy being substantial, the process was never expected to be quick and easy.
He also stressed that if a 30 acre was difficult to acquire in a hill state, then even a 15 to 20 acre tract would be adequate for the academy.