Grameen Football Gaurav for Mangalbaria WFA’s Bhoj Kumari

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: Bhoj Kumari Subba of Dodak, West Sikkim, was presented the ‘Grameen Football Gaurav’ award, a joint initiative of Sikkim Express and Videocon D2H to celebrate football talent from rural Sikkim, on Saturday. The recognition was accorded at a simple function organised at the Press Club of Sikkim with Thukchuk Lachungpa as chief guest.
Bhoj Kumari is a product of Mangalbaria Women’s Football Academy and marching strong on the path blazed by her academy friends Nima Lhamu and Lako Phuti who now wear the national colours. As he citation informs: “Miss Subba has impressed everyone with her talents and skills during the recently concluded All Sikkim Women’s Football Tournament organized by Sikkim Football Association at Paljor Stadium. She was an integral part of the Norbugang XI team of West district which won the tournament...”
Editor, Sikkim Express, Amit Patro, expressed happiness on a lady footballer being selected for the Grameen Football Gaurav this time. This is the fifth edition of the award.
He credited coach Palden Bhutia, who founded the Women’s Football Academy in remote Mangalbaria of West Sikkim in the year 2005, for the new highs being achieved by women footballers of Sikkim. He saluted Mr. Bhutia’s vision and contributions to the advancement of women’s football in Sikkim.
Mr Patro also pointed out that soccer stalwarts from Sikkim have mostly come from rural backgrounds, reinforcing the talent that the villages harbour. “We look forward to Bhoj Kumari’s wonderful performance in the coming years and celebrate her growth as a footballer. We also wish to see her in Indian colours in the near future. Football lovers remain assured that Bhoj Kumari will mature as the torchbearer of rural Sikkim’s contribution towards the advancement of Sikkim Football, particularly in women’s football,” he said.
The Grameen Football Gaurav consists of a citation and a Videocon d2h set-top box with a free lifelong subscription to the awardee.
Bhoj Kumari thanked Sikkim Express and Videocon D2H for the award and shared that the recognition has reinforced her desire to make a career in football.
In his address, Mr. Lachungpa said that while there are many media houses in Sikkim, the initiative taken by Sikkim Express was unique and deeply appreciable.