Editorial: Thank You, Bhaichung!

A much pregnant lady from these parts was pleasantly surprised when, during a routine check-up, a gynaecologist attending to her in Kolkata, upon noticing an exceptionally active child in the womb, exclaimed, “Your child appears to be a strong kicker. That’s a Bhaichung in the making!” In another instance, another easily excitable child, from these parts again, running amok in a departmental store in Mumbai was called out by the floor attendants as “Hey Bhaichung!” when they tried to calm him down and save their store.
Before the Tinkitam Express exploded on the national football scene, the store attendant would have probably shouted out, “Aey Bahadur” or some other disparaging variant of the call that anyone from these parts would have received at some or the other time in ‘mainland’ India. Barely 36 years old, Bhaichung, with his individual brilliance on the field, exceptional personal integrity and complete passion for the sport, has achieved much more by way of recognition, identity and pride for the people from the Hills than, dare we say, claims of special status or unique identity which are often thrown about. What is more, he continues to do so. He is still recovering from an injury, and the multi-tasking he has embraced with the overhauled United Sikkim Football Club which he now co-owns, is obviously not allowing him enough time to recover fully and play as much as he and his fans would want him to. But even though he sits on the bench for most the matches, it is clear that he is completely invested into lifting professional football in Sikkim to a whole new, hitherto uncharted, level. On Tuesday afternoon, 17 April 2012, USFC held higher ranked Mohammedan Sporting to a 1-1 draw at Paljor Stadium and collected enough points to top the second division I-League standings and win a promotion to play among the big boys of Indian football. A Sikkim club is now in first division I-League! Bhaichung has again given Sikkim a reason to cheer. And he has done so consistently. Back in 1993, still a student at Tashi Namgyal Academy, Bhaichung had dazzled with his prodigious footballing skills while playing for Sikkim Blue at the Governor’s Gold Cup. Not yet filled out into the footballer he would become in later years, his raw passion for the sport and selfless team spirit was obvious to all. For a region which loves its football, this was the first time that brilliance had dazzled in such a complete package – a striker who was willing to create openings for others to score, a striker who was willing to run back and bolster the defence, a team player who worked with the team and not strut around as a star. Over the years, there have been many who have commented that the region has produced better footballers than Bhaichung in the past who could not reach the heights that he has scaled. They might even be right when their comments are limited to specific skills, but are wrong when it comes to the sport. There can be no denying that no sportsperson has given himself/ herself so completely to the game as Bhaichung has done, and it is because of this commitment that he has reinvented himself so successfully, so many times in a professional career that already spans 19 years! He retired from international football only in August 2011, and because he still wears the colours for a First Division USFC team, he continues to be a professional footballer.
But Bhaichung is more than a player. He is one of the few sportspersons who has put his money where his mouth is. At a stage when could have retired and explored other options, even commentating or coaching or invested in a whole new venture, he decided to commit himself to creating a professional club where every service and assistance he would have wanted as a younger player were made available to the team he took under wings. This must not have been easy. Managing sportspersons is never easy; there are too many egos, too much attitude and too many communication gaps to span. USFC has players from diverse backgrounds, cultures and languages. It goes without saying that there must be frequent friction, that’s part and parcel of professional sports, and it is obvious that Bhaichung is the lynchpin that holds the club together. On Tuesday, as the tension levels rose and nerves were getting frayed on the field, Bhaichung entered as a substitute much earlier than has been the norm for him of late. He was there to keep the team on course when less experienced minds could have imploded under the pressure as nearly happened a couple of times on Tuesday and in previous matches. But all that is in the past now. Bhaichung has raised the bar yet again and moves in a rarefied realm of few equals. He presents himself yet again as the best brand ambassador not only for the sport but also for Sikkim and continues to evolve more virtues for the young to emulate with him as role model. USFC’s promotion to the senior division is a dream come true for him as Bhaichung has himself shared, it’s his achievement no doubt, but along with the congratulations and celebrations, the game and the people of Sikkim need to thank him as well for the consistency with which he has reflected pride on the State and its people and the inspiration he continues to provide. Thank you, Bhaichung!