Editorial-
Sikkim accounts for only 0.05% of India’s population but when it comes to potential, it stakes claim to much more. Take football for instance; after decades of Bhaichung’s dominance, the State which is far short of even 1% of the population, now has two regulars in India XI in Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan, both of whom are interestingly products of the Search for More Bhaichungs programme of the State Government. Sikkim’s football acumen in the national and international arena is safe with their boots and the still younger carry even more promise. And before them, archer Tarundeep Rai made a mark as did Chungda Sherpa. Olympic glory by a Sikkimese sportsperson is a possibility in the not too distant future. The State’s martial artists have also been routinely making a mark in national events and are on the verge of springboarding to greater glory.
The one common factor in all sporting achievers from Sikkim is that they have broken away from the pack here and struck out on their own. Bhaichung must have had many fellow strikers who played with him at Paljor Stadium, but only he made it. Ditto for Nirmal and Sanju. Tarundeep is definitely not the first archer from the State, yet he is the only one to make it to the Olympics. Pick any other sport and there will be individuals who have excelled. What is ironic though is how even in team sports, Sikkim has produced only individuals who have excelled. As a team, Team Sikkim is yet to achieve anything significant even in football. The I-League flash and promise of Bhaichung’s USFC was also more an achievement of footballers who played for the club but did not necessarily belong to Sikkim. That Sikkim has an impressive pool of sporting talent is an established fact, but what is also stark is that as a team, Sikkim has not tasted success; that has remained an individual preserve. And even that, although the success has been impressive, has not been in enough numbers; at least not on a scale that Sikkim holds promise for. What Sikkim’s sportspersons perhaps need to develop is stronger resolve, more intense determination… the thirst to excel beyond Rangpo. Too many promising footballers have given up midway when they were made to sit on the sidelines too long. Once Sikkim’s players develop this resolve, the sports administrators will have to step up and provide them better infrastructure, exposure and training. At one time Sikkim celebrated only one Bhaichung, now it can follow two footballers in Sanju and Nirmal; the aim should be to now also have a local club that everyone supports and follows and a many more players in many more disciplines that kids can have as role models…
Sikkim accounts for only 0.05% of India’s population but when it comes to potential, it stakes claim to much more. Take football for instance; after decades of Bhaichung’s dominance, the State which is far short of even 1% of the population, now has two regulars in India XI in Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan, both of whom are interestingly products of the Search for More Bhaichungs programme of the State Government. Sikkim’s football acumen in the national and international arena is safe with their boots and the still younger carry even more promise. And before them, archer Tarundeep Rai made a mark as did Chungda Sherpa. Olympic glory by a Sikkimese sportsperson is a possibility in the not too distant future. The State’s martial artists have also been routinely making a mark in national events and are on the verge of springboarding to greater glory.
The one common factor in all sporting achievers from Sikkim is that they have broken away from the pack here and struck out on their own. Bhaichung must have had many fellow strikers who played with him at Paljor Stadium, but only he made it. Ditto for Nirmal and Sanju. Tarundeep is definitely not the first archer from the State, yet he is the only one to make it to the Olympics. Pick any other sport and there will be individuals who have excelled. What is ironic though is how even in team sports, Sikkim has produced only individuals who have excelled. As a team, Team Sikkim is yet to achieve anything significant even in football. The I-League flash and promise of Bhaichung’s USFC was also more an achievement of footballers who played for the club but did not necessarily belong to Sikkim. That Sikkim has an impressive pool of sporting talent is an established fact, but what is also stark is that as a team, Sikkim has not tasted success; that has remained an individual preserve. And even that, although the success has been impressive, has not been in enough numbers; at least not on a scale that Sikkim holds promise for. What Sikkim’s sportspersons perhaps need to develop is stronger resolve, more intense determination… the thirst to excel beyond Rangpo. Too many promising footballers have given up midway when they were made to sit on the sidelines too long. Once Sikkim’s players develop this resolve, the sports administrators will have to step up and provide them better infrastructure, exposure and training. At one time Sikkim celebrated only one Bhaichung, now it can follow two footballers in Sanju and Nirmal; the aim should be to now also have a local club that everyone supports and follows and a many more players in many more disciplines that kids can have as role models…
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