Gangtok, Nov. 16: Sikkim will host the Manchester United Premier Cup football tournament for the eastern and north eastern region from November 18 to 21.
The tournament for Under-15 boys will be organised by the Sikkim Football Association (SFA).
According to SFA general secretary Menla Ethenpa, the event will see the participation of eight teams — Mohun Bagan, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Chirag United S.C, Kalyani Municipality Academy, Eastern Sporting Union, Manipur, Silchar Football Academy, Assam, Sikkim Football Academy, Namchi and Snow Lion Football Academy, Sikkim.
Sports and youth affairs minister P. S. Gholey will be the chief guest at the inauguration, while Indian soccer skipper Bhaichung Bhutia will be the guest of honour.
Bhaichung will be reaching Gangtok tomorrow for the inaugural function. Speaking to The Telegraph, Bhaichung said the winner at the national-level would participate in the Premier Cup in England with teams from other countries.
According to Ethenpa, two
teams, which will qualify in this zone, will play in the final round to be held in Goa where they will take on the winners of other four zones in the country. The team sailing through the Goa round will be taken to Manchester in the U.K.
“It is a great honour for Sikkim to organise this prestigious tournament for the first time,” Ethenpa said.
“Since, there will be no entry fee, we would like to see all football loving people in Sikkim to come forward and cheer your favourite teams,” he said.
The Manchester United Premier Cup is the Nike’s annual initiative to groom footballers in India. The group stages are being held in three centres — New Delhi, Gangtok and Goa.
While the Delhi stage is already over, the south and west zones matches will be conducted in two stadiums in Goa from November 26 to 28. The all-India final will be held at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, from December 1 to 3.
This is the fourth year Nike is conducting the tournament with All India Football Federation.
Army adventure
The Army Adventure Cup, organised by the 17 Mountain Division, kicked off at Majitar in East Sikkim on Saturday. Six command centres of the Indian Army are battling for the top honours at this meet.
