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.

Grameen Football Gaurav for Dup Tshering Lepcha

GANGTOK, 20 Aug: The 2nd Grameen Football Gaurav, a joint initiative of local English daily Sikkim Express and Videocon D2H, for budding and aspiring footballers hailing from rural areas was presented to Dup Tshering Lepcha of Boys Club Academy by Thupden Rapgyal Bhutia, Deputy Director, Coaching, Sports & Youth Affairs Department, at a special function held here at the Press Club of Sikkim today.
Dup Tshering Lepcha, who hails from Ranka-Berbing in East Sikkim, studies in Class X at the Deorali Sheda [a monastic school] and plays as a striker for the Boys Club junior team, which did well in the recently concluded SFA second division Sikkim-League and has qualified for the SFA first division Sikkim-League to be held next year.
Addressing the gathering, the chief guest Thupden Rapgyal Bhutia congratulated Dup Tshering on being felicitated and also for the initiative taken by Sikkim Express and Videocon D2H of awarding aspiring and upcoming talents from rural Sikkim. “There is lot of talent in Sikkim, but there is lack of encouragement,” he said, adding that initiatives such as Grameen Football Gaurav filled this vacuum, providing kids with the much-needed encouragement and motivation.
Other corporate houses and multi-national companies should also come forward with such initiatives for the sporting talents in the state, he remarked.
He also thanked the members of Boys Club, highlighting that being one of the oldest sports clubs in the State, they had done a lot for the game of football and in lifting the game to its present glory. He also thanked them for coaching and starting the football academy for young and aspiring footballers in the state and for picking the talented kids for better grooming.
In his short address, Dup Tshering Lepcha expressed his gratitude to members of his academy and everyone who has supported him till date.
Sikkim Express editor, Amit Patro mentioned that Grameen Football Gaurav is a monthly initiative wherein a young, promising and budding footballer from rural Sikkim is extended special recognition of their prodigious talent. This will not only encourage the rural footballers in the state but will also boost the moral younger talents, he said.
The function was also addressed by NIPL Director, Shirish Khare and the president of the Boys Club.

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.