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A soccer stadium named after former Indian legendary striker Bhaichung Bhutia goes to be inaugurated in Namchi — twenty-five kilometres away from the maestro’s birthplace, Tinkitam within the district of South Sikkim. “It’s our tribute to one of the best Indian footballers. Even after hanging his boots, Bhaichung Bhutia has been a role model to many and he will continue to inspire young footballers of India, let alone Sikkim. We can’t repay for what he has done for Indian Football. But a stadium named after him might be a small homage towards the great footballer,” All India Football Federation’s official web site quoted Menla Ethenpa, president, Sikkim Football Association as saying.
This goes to be the first-ever stadium in India to be named after any footballer.
Meanwhile, Bhaichung, the primary Indian footballer to play 100 worldwide matches acknowledged he’s “honoured” as it is going to be the first-ever soccer stadium in India named after a footballer.
“I’m very much honoured and excited. If you look at the larger picture I’m happier because the budding footballers will get another top-class facility and infrastructure to play football. This stadium has produced many footballers including me. I have so many memories of playing there,” Bhutia sounded nostalgic.
Groundwork of the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Stadium began within the 2010s earlier than it confronted many a roadblock owing to monetary difficulties. After Prem Singh Tamang, present Chief Minister of Sikkim, assumed his workplace, the development work resumed as soon as once more.
“Our Chief Minister is an avid football supporter and he himself took interest to fast-track the construction work. Had the COVID-19 pandemic situation not disturbed the entire scenario, the stadium could have already been inaugurated already,” Ethenpa knowledgeable.
The synthetic turf has already been laid moreover establishing the 15,000-capacity stands. Ethenpa additional added that the plan of putting in floodlights is already within the works and it will be lined within the second section of labor.
“After resuming the work, it took less than fourteen months to finish. Chief Minister himself was monitoring the progress. The capacity of the stadium is 15,000 and we’ve already planned to install floodlights in the second phase,” he mentioned.
Promoted
Meanwhile, Bhaichung Bhutia revealed that he has submitted a proposal to ascertain an academy within the neighborhood of the stadium which is able to, in flip, encourage extra children to take up soccer.
“We have already spoken with the State Government about setting up a Football Academy. It will be a joint venture between the government and United Sikkim — the biggest semi-professional football club in this region. It’ll provide a platform for the youths to play football. We look forward to hosting Golden Baby Leagues too,” the Padma Shri awardee mentioned.
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