USFC and Sikkim Express earthquake relief fund to establish astro-turf football ground in Mangan

The ground in Mangan where the astro-turf is coming up.

GANGTOK, 09 Oct: Earthquake relief funds raised jointly by United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] and Gangtok-based English daily, Sikkim Express, will be used to construct an astro-turf football ground in Mangan, North district considering the acute shortage of playing venues there.
USFC co-owner Bhaichung Bhutia, who initiated the relief fund campaign, today said that the 4-member relief fund committee has approved the proposal for setting up the 5 a-side astro-turf ground in the North district headquarters.
Former Chief Secretary, TT Dorji, former Justice AP Subba, Sikkim Express Editor Amit Patro, USFC senior manager, Arjun Rai make up the committee set up to monitor earthquake relief funds received in the USFC and Sikkim Express bank account. A relief fund of around Rs. 11 lakh was raised following last year’s earthquake that hit the state.
Considering the fact that North district was the worst affected by the earthquake, the committee felt that some work must be taken up there and agreed to set up an astro-turf pitch in Mangan where kids can enjoy such facility. “We wanted to develop the pitch in Dzongu but the costs would have been very high”, said Bhaichung on choosing Mangan for the facility.
The venue, a government property, falls under Dzongu constituency. Initially, the football infrastructure was to come up in the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu where former footballer Sherap Lepcha was willing to donate his private holdings at Tingvong.
When Bhaichung travelled to Dzongu to inspect the land on 15 August, he was approached by North District Football Association (NDFA) to explore the possibilities in setting up the astro-turf pitch within Mangan itself. He inspected the proposed ground with a playing area of 25 m by 40 m near the Mangan district collectorate and found it suitable.
Members of NDFA also highlighted the scarcity of football playing ground in Mangan as the usual ground was being renovated while the school ground lies in a damaged condition. After consulting Sherap Lepcha, it was agreed that the astro-turf would be developed in Mangan.
“Though I was ready to donate land in Dzongu, it is a good decision to have the turf in Mangan where more people can use the facility”, said Mr Lepcha.
Bhaichung has also managed to rope in Altius Sports to lay the astro-turf at minimum costs at the selected venue where the Sports department and North District Football Association (NDFA) are undertaking the preliminary works. The turf to be laid is ‘Tiger Turf’ from New Zealand and is claimed to be one of the world’s best artificial turfs.
The NDFA has been entrusted with the ground levelling works and turf installation will be completed by January, informed Bhaichung.
NDFA general secretary, Pemzang Tenzin said that such a world class facility will greatly benefit local kids and footballers. “The kids would be exposed to astro-turf and we can also organize 5 a-side tournaments here. An astro-turf ground will make a huge difference”, he said.
It was informed that NHPC has assured NDFA that it will lay a strong foundation at the ground for the astro-turf and to construct protective fending.