SOCCER GREATS TO SCORE FOR SIKKIM AT ‘SUPER FOOTBALL’ SUNDAY
ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 15 Jan: International soccer greats and a host of celebrities will be descending on Sikkim next weekend to play an exhibition-cum-entertainment match at Paljor Stadium here on 22 Jan, and with this gesture, express solidarity with Sikkim and broadcast to the rest the world that the 18 September Earthquake has not destroyed Sikkim’s resilience and that the State is ready to reclaim its place on the world tourism map.
This will be a historic moment for footballers lovers in Sikkim because lining up in the Super Stars XI versus Bhaichung Bhutia’s United Sikkim Sporting Club Football Club [USFC] on Sunday will be a galaxy of soccer greats. Confirmed for the Super Football event are: Rudd Gullit [Holland], Ali Daei [Iran], Ansgar Brinkmann [Germany], Christian Karenbeau [France], Carlos Valderama [Columbia], Claudio Cannigia [Argentina], Regi Blinker [Holland], Tim Trenker [world motorbike champion from Germany], Roland Kopp [Germany], Marcel Oerlemans [Holland] and other international personalities.
Efforts are still underway to bring football legend, Pele, to Sikkim for this event.
The founder-member of the rock-band Scorpions which has given the Hills many anthems, guitarist Rudolf Schenker, is also scheduled to play for Super Stars XI.
The event is being put together by JPR Events with logistic support from the State Government.
The Super Football event was announced at a press conference today addressed by Sports Minister, NK Pradhan, Sports Secretary, Karma P Bhutia, IPR Secretary, KS Topgay, USFC co-owner, Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Hamal from JPR Events.
Mr Topgay explained that this mega-event will put Sikkim back on the world tourism map and undo the negative image which went out in the wake of the 18 September Earthquake.
“The successful hosting of this event in the presence of such stars and celebrities will announce to the world that we are ready to receive tourists again,” he said.
Sports Secretary, Mr Bhutia, who is also the organizing secretary of the event, in turn informed that an organizing committee has also been formed for the event headed by UD&HD Minister, DB Thapa, as chairperson.
He pointed out that even though the match carried special significance for Sikkim, it was also a major event for the entire north-east and neighbouring states as it brings to this corner, an opportunity to watch celebrated international footballers of yesteryears in action once again.
Mr Hamal of JPS Events expressed gratitude towards the State government for coming forward to support the event and informed that the match was originally scheduled to be played in Kolkata but was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. This provided the opportunity to host it in Sikkim.
He confirmed that Rudolf Schenker of the Scorpions will be in Sikkim and wearing the Super Stars XI colours on the field apart from also performing live with a band, Underground Authority from Kolkata.
Bhaichung mentioned that his team was fortunate to receive the chance to play in the event due to postponedment of the event at Kolkata. He added that it was a good opportunity for the club players to play against the legend like Rudd Gullet and other former World Cup players.
Bhaichung shared that the USFC players were excited about the prospect of taking to the field with such greats and looking forward to the event. He also expressed his gratitude to the Sikkim government for providing full support to the event.
The Sports Minister confirmed the full support of the State government to this special event and welcomed the historic opportunity created for football lovers here.
“The government is putting in all efforts and working hard round the clock to ensure the success of the programme because it will be an honour for the people and the state to host such legend,” he said.
The State government has also exempted the event from paying entertainment tax, and will be providing transportation, security, venue and other logistic support to the event.
The Minister underlined that the main purpose of the event was to squash rumours that Sikkim, in the wake of the 18 Sept Earthquake, was no longer safe for tourists.
Pointing out that tourist arrivals had fallen substantially since the earthquake, he stressed that the presence of such great personalities from across to the world in Sikkim would fetch positive coverage and boost tourism in the State.
The Super Stars XI will also have former renowed footballers of India like Chima, Vijayan and others.
Tickets for the match have been priced at Rs 500 for the Hillside Gallery, Rs 1,200 for other galleries and Rs 2,000 for the VIP gallery. There will also be 3 corporate boxes in the Hillside Gallery. Paljor Stadium has a capacity to seat 18,000 people.
The tickets go on sale from Monday onwards and counters will remain open till 20 January. Online bookings can be made at www.zomato.com.
Where are the Earthquake relief funds which were raised during the match ?
ReplyDeleteWhere are the Sikkim Earthquake relief funds ?
ReplyDelete