Kalimpong, Aug. 2: The hill town is gearing up for football tournaments as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

?Soccer matches have always been a part of Independence Day celebrations here in Kalimpong. It probably started out as a means of providing entertainment to people on this momentous day,? said Sonam Wangdi Bhutia, the general secretary of Kalimpong Sports Association (KSA), which organises the tournaments.

The tournaments are part of the two-day celebrations held at the Mela ground on August 15 and 16 every year.

Not only cultural shows, but marching school bands too occupy an important part of the celebrations.

The Independence Shield Football Tournament is the oldest of the meets and is being held right from 1947. The main crowd-puller in this football season have always been the Saheed Cup, organised for professional players.

The matches of Pemba Tshering Bhutia Memorial Cup for school teams are already underway. Teams from Manipur, Assam, Bhutan, Calcutta and Shillong will participate in the these tournaments .