Bhaichung: Praise for team and sponsor

Gangtok, Nov. 17: Sikkim’s export to Indian football, Bhaichung Bhutia, felt there was no dearth of talent in Sikkim but said the players required the right grooming and exposure to strike success.

The Indian international and ace striker for East Bengal was speaking at a function to mark the sponsorship of Sikkim United Sporting club by Sikkim Motors — the authorised dealers for the Mahindra range of vehicles in the state — yesterday. Bhaichung is the chief patron of Sikkim United Sporting Club.

The Durand Cup over, the golden boy of Indian soccer is presently on a visit to his home state. Though he may be off the field for the time being, he had words of advice and praise for rising footballers. After encouraging footballers and promoters of the game in the state at the function yesterday, Bhaichung left for Geyzing to catch the finals of the Khangchendzonga Gold cup today.

With the sponsorship contract in hand, Sikkim United Sporting Club became the first in the history of Sikkim to rope in a private company to sponsor the team. Though the details of the sponsorship scheme are yet to be worked out, Pramod Dalmia, chief executive officer of Sikkim Motors, said the company would begin by sponsoring the kit, dress and other equipment required by the the team immediately.

The sponsorship agreement was reached recently when the Sikkim Football Association held a meeting with Dalmia and asked him to help promote the game in the state by sponsoring a team.