SFA and FCs warm up for development of football in Sikkim

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: Sikkim Football Association convened a meeting with the premier division football clubs here in Gangtok on the afternoon of 24 August to give final shape to the earlier proposal which was discussed with the various football clubs on 10 August. The clubs were led by Bhaichung Bhutia at the meeting, an SFA press release informs. Bhaichung, it may be recalled, is the president of the Football Club Association of Sikkim.
The meeting unanimously endorsed the earlier decision to give membership with voting rights to eight Premier Division Clubs of Sikkim, the release informs.
Those clubs who are actively participating in the programs of SFA for more than 10 years have been offered permanent membership while other Sikkim Premier Division clubs will have to retain their Premier Division status to continue their membership.
If any club is relegated to the 2nd Division, the club will be allowed to continue its membership for one more year to improve their performance level and regain the Premier Division berth failing which such club will cease to be a member.
The meeting resolved to place these proposals before the next general body meeting of SFA as it involves amendment to the SFA Constitution.
The proposal of giving membership without voting right to registered 2nd division clubs was also vetted to be placed before next AGM. The meeting also discussed the stalled 2nd Division S-League and Sikkim Premier League which will have to be conducted at different venues owing to the ongoing Inter Departmental tournament which is going on at present at the Paljor Stadium in view of the time constraint before the start of the 36th All India Governor’s Gold Cup which is likely to take place from 10 to 21 October, 2014.
At the end of the deliberation, Bhaichung Bhutia thanked SFA for accommodating the clubs and and giving them their due share of recognition and importance. He assured all possible help and cooperation to ensure development of football in Sikkim, the release adds.
Stating that it is difficult for any NGO to function without support from the corporate and government sector, Mr Bhutia advised SFA to look for sponsorship to run all its activities. He also mooted the idea of appointing a CEO for SFA, the release mentions.
SFA vice president, Karma Yougyal explained the relegation process to the representatives of the clubs and expressed his concern over the delay in conducting the S-League.
SFA general secretary, Menla Ethenpa informed that now on there is no room for any association to come between the clubs and the SFA. Further stating that SFA and the clubs cannot do without each other, he said that since the clubs are now members of the association they would have to raise all issue in SFA meetings.
SFA president, BK Roka touched upon the importance of maintaining discipline in the football fraternity and expressed his happiness in resolving the issues and thanked everybody who worked for bringing the clubs and the association together. He also thanked Bhaichung Bhutia, Sherab Lepcha, Nima Thondup, S Dadul and Sumeet Thirani for attending the meeting and resolving the issues amicably, it is added.