Now, a Football Mela!

Spotters from leading clubs expected to come scouting at 3-day talent hunt at Paljor Stadium

Around two dozen local lads are currently playing for frontline football clubs of the country. These footballers, all groomed in the dustbowl football grounds around the State and at the astro-turfed extravagance of Paljor Stadium are living their dreams, playing professional football for top teams in the Indian Super League and I-League. Needless to add, their breakthrough has now seeded a dream to follow suit among all budding footballers across the State, but opportunities to get noticed and signed up are not always as forthcoming. 

Perhaps realising this fact, Sikkim Football Association has announced a three-day Football Talent Mela, a talent hunt for U-19 Boys from 20 to 22 March at Paljor Stadium.
At this event, for the first time in the State, SFA will be providing the rare opportunity and platform to talented U-19 footballers from across the State to showcase their potential and talent directly to officials and spotters representing reputed premier football clubs of the country.
Addressing a press conference recently at Gangtok, SFA general secretary, Menla Ethenpa, explained that Football Talent Mela was a very new concept to provide an opportunity to talented footballers to interact with officials and spotters of reputed premier football clubs of the country. SFA has already invited I-League clubs along with all clubs from Kolkata, he said.
It is informed that so far, more than 20 clubs including East Bengal, Md Sporting, Kalighat, George Telegraph, Peerless Football Club and Food Corporation of India, have shown keen interest and willingness to depute representatives and spotters for the Mela.
Mr. Ethenpa mentioned that there were many unnoticed talented footballers at different corners of the state who have still not received an opportunity or platform to show their skills. “Most of the premier and other reputed clubs of the country have been looking towards Sikkim and other North-Eastern states for young talented footballers,” he added.
During this three-day talent hunt, players will be divided into teams for exhibition games at Paljor Stadium in the presence of the representatives and spotters.
For the same, SFA has requested all football clubs and stakeholders involved in the promotion of football in the State to ensure maximum participation of young footballers in the talent hunt mela. It was also informed that interested footballers can also directly contact the SFA Office to get registered for the talent hunt.
The registration forms are available at the SFA Office, Football House, behind Norkhil Hotel. The last date for the registration is 18 March.
[SAGAR CHHETRI]