State team all set to play ball at the Dr T Ao Memorial Football tourney

22-MEMBER SQUAD ANNOUNCED 
GANGTOK, 29 Feb: A 22-member state team is all set to represent Sikkim in the Dr T Ao Memorial Football Tournament 2012 that begins on Friday here at Paljor Stadium. The tournament is being organized by the department of Sports and Youth Affairs for the first time in the state.
Names of members of the state team for this tournament were announced by the Sikkim Football Association general secretary, Menla Ethenpa on the last day of the seven-day selection camp at Paljor Stadium today.
The state squad will be led by Tenzing Tsephel as captain and Engpohang Subba [Sikkim Police] as vice-captain. The team has two goalkeepers- Kunzang Lachungpa [Lanshing FC, Shillong] and Pawan Chettri [United Sikkim FC].
The defence line has Sonam Pintso [SAI/SAG, Namchi], Karma Lendup Lepcha [Sikkim Police], Kushan Mangar [State Sports Academy], Mobin Rai [SSA], Nim Tshering Lepcha [USFC], Sagar Rai [USFC] and Afzal Ansari [USFC].
The shortlisted midfielders were Thupden Tshering Bhutia [USFC], Sahensha Ansari [USFC], Mayal Dok Lepcha [USFC], Bhupendra Kewa [USFC], Nima Tamang [USFC] and Don Tshering Lepcha [Lanshing FC].
Bir Bahadur Pradhan [Sikkim Police], Tenzing Tsephel Bhutia [AG Office], Sanjay Chettri [Lanshing FC], Engpohang Subba, Yakub Kami [SAI/SAG Namchi], Kassang N Lepcha [SSA] and Bijoy Subba [SSA] were shortlisted as forwards of the team.
A total of 26 local players, who are currently playing for different clubs in and outside the state, attended the selection camp which started on 23 February. The players underwent the camp under the coach, Suresh Mukhia and manager, Arjun Rai.
After announcing the names, Mr Ethenpa congratulated the selected players and encouraged those who did not make it to take it as a challenge and try their best to get selected next time. He encouraged the state team to maintain discipline and play with a sporting spirit being the host team.
Mr Ethenpa also congratulated the department of Sports and Youth Affairs for getting the opportunity to host this prestigious tournament in the state before their turn. He informed that Sikkim was scheduled to host the 7th edition of this tournament.
Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary, Karma P Bhutia also encouraged the players to play their best being the host state and urged them to show their best game.
United Sikkim FC coach, Philippe De Ridder also expressed his best wishes to the team members.
Speaking to media persons today, team captain Tenzing Tsephel expressed that the team will give their best and hopes to make it to the final round although the team has not got much time to prepare. Tenzing urged people to come forward to support the state team in the tournament.
Team coach, Suresh Mukhia said that the best players of the state playing for different clubs in and outside the state have been hand picked for the tournament and it would hopefully bear fruit.
Likewise, team manager, Arjun Rai mentioned that in a short span of time a good set of team has been constituted to represent the state. He also said that the team has the advantage of playing on home ground and crowd support would hopefully help the team to be the best in the tournament.



Sikkim to take on Arunachal Pradesh in the Dr T Ao Memorial football tourney on FridaSikkim will play against Arunachal Pradesh in the inaugural match of the Dr T Ao Memorial Football Tournament 2012 on Friday.
Sikkim has been placed in Group A along with Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Assam, while Group B has the defending champion, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya.
In this league cum knock-out football tournament, each team has to play three matches against teams in its group and the top two teams in the group will then enter the semi-final rounds.
Sikkim will be playing its next game against Mizoram on 04 March and then against Assam on 06 March.