Education wins

HRDD-GANGTOK FIGHTS BACK FROM TWO GOALS DOWN TO LIFT INTERDEPARTMENTAL TOURNAMENT

Human Resource Development Department, Gangtok, has emerged as the new champion of the Inter-Departmental Football Tournament played here at Paljor Stadium. In the nail-biting final match of the 3rd edition of the tournament played on 20 September, HRDD-Gangtok edged past Roads & Bridges Department in a tie-breaker. With this, Forest Department’s domination of the tournament ended. Foresters had won the first two editions of the tournament.
HRDD-Gangtok had secured its berth in the finals beating a strong State Bank of Sikkim squad in the first semi-final while Roads & Bridges knocked out Power Department to make it for the Saturday clash.
The stadium was packed with supporters of both teams who cheered lustily for their respective teams throughout the match. Roads & Bridges started strong and finished the first half 2-0 ahead.
The drinks break revitalized the HRDD-Gangtok team which started the second half aggressive and strong, and had leveled the score 02-02 before the final whistle.
The match directly proceeded to a tie-breaker through penalty shoot-out. HRDD converted all five strikes while RM&DD scored 03/05 stepping aside for HRDD-Gangtok to lift the trophy.
The month-long tournament had begun on 17 August with the 29 teams. The league-cum-knock out mode tournament was organised by Boy’s Club.
Sports & Youth Affairs Minister, RB Subba, was present as chief guest on the final day. The winner’s received a cash prize of Rs 45,000 [Rs. 25,000 from the organisers and Rs 20,000 contributed by the Minister] along with the trophy while the runners-up received Rs 15,000 and a trophy. SBS who stood third received a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Jigmee Bhutia of Roads & Bridges was adjudged the Man of the Final Match, while the Man of the Tournament honour went to Nor Tshering Lepcha of the State Bank of Sikkim. The Man of the Tournament trophy in the above-50 years old category went to Sonam Lepcha of Law Department.
Power Department was adjudged the Most Disciplined Team trophy. The Highest Scorer trophy was shared by Jigmee Bhutia of Roads & Bridges and Karma D Bhutia of Higher Education [HRDD], both of whom scored nine goals each.
Best Goalkeeper trophy was handed over to Mukum Subba of Tourism Department.
Likewise, the Boy’s Club has also contributed Rs 10,000 to Mayalmu Sangh and another Rs 10,000 to Ishwarambha Samiti Sangh of Ranipool. The band from Kumdini Homes of Kalimpong also received Rs 10,000 from the organisers and Rs 10,000 from the Minister. 78-year-old Lobsang Chumbi Bhutia also received a Token of Appreciation for watching every match of the tournament of this edition.
The HRDD-Gangtok captain, Udai Subba, was delighted with the victory and thanked all players and officials along with supporters of the team.
Mr Subba appreciated the Boys’ Club initiative in organising the tournament for not only providing a break from the rigor of office work, but also motivating employees to stay fit and healthy. He added that if the tournament was sustained, it could also generate jobs for sportsperson in the future. He also stressed for support from all sides for the tournament.