Central Pendam FA product, Prashant Tamang, conferred the first Grameen Football Gaurav

GRAMEEN FOOTBALL GAURAV TO RECOGNIZE UPCOMING FOOTBALL TALENT FROM RURAL SIKKIM
GANGTOK, 23 July: An upcoming and promising young footballer, Prashant Tamang has been conferred with the first Grameen Football Gaurav, in a presentation ceremony held today at Press Club of Sikkim. 
The award was instituted by Sikkim Express and Videocon d2h to encourage local upcoming and promising young footballers from rural areas. Former Indian football skipper and co-owner of the United Sikkim Football Club, Bhaichung Bhutia, who was present as the chief guest, presented the award to the young footballer.
15-year-old Prashant is a promising footballer from Gram Vikash Sangathan Football Academy [GVSFA], Central Pendam in East Sikkim. He originally hails from Legship in West Sikkim and joined GVSFA in 2009. He is currently studying in Class X at Central Pendam SSS. Prashant plays as a stopper in the team and during the past 3 years in the academy he has been growing as a dependable stopper. He impressed everyone with his performances and game in the recently concluded SFA second division Sikkim-League.
While congratulating Prashant for this award, Bhaichung encouraged him to work hard and play the game with dedication. Adding that obstacles came along his way as well, he said that hardwork and dedication helped him further his football career.
Bhaichung appreciated the concept of the award to encourage and recognize rural talents. He also congratulated the GVSFA for their initiative in producing gifted footballers from their academy and also assured to visit the academy soon.
Pointing out that in the last couple of years the state has been recording many cases of drug abuse, Bhaichung stressed that sports was only the way to divert the young generation to the right path. He also shared his dream of producing more footballers from Sikkim and plans to have a whole set of local players in the USFC in the near future.
In his short address, Prashant expressed his gratitude to members of his academy and everyone who has supported him till date.
Sikkim Express editor, Amit Patro mentioned that rural Sikkim has always been working as a factory of footballers and contributing in the development and promotion of football in the state. He mentioned that this award is an initiative to encourage fresh football talents from rural areas, who will be torch bearers of the game in the coming days.
Mr Patro mentioned that Grameen Football Gaurav is a monthly initiative wherein a young, promising and budding footballer from rural Sikkim will be conferred with this award every month.
The function was also addressed by NIPL Director, Shirish Khare and Videocon d2h Area Head, P John and GVSFA president, Ambika Pokhrel.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks by Associate Editor Himali Bela, Rupesh Sharma.