For all you Goal.com readers who don’t know, Mr. Kapil Chettri, the real world identity of ‘ckapil@Goal.com’ (as you have seen littered over various parts of the site), is the Business Development Head for Goal.com India, and is the brain behind the functioning of the company in the country.
Mr. Chettri has been in Gangtok for the past few days, soaking up the atmosphere of the 30th All India Governor’s Gold Cup, which has begun amidst a lot of fan following, music, and colour in the city.
Says Mr. Chettri, “I’m not surprised at the success of the tournament, as domestic football tournaments are way bigger crowd pullers than even domestic cricket tournaments in India. But the carnival atmosphere all over town, even in the evenings when the matches are over, is simply phenomenal. Everyone, right from the taxi driver to the hotel receptionist is talking football, which is heartening to see.”
It’s no exaggeration, as the strategic placement of the event between the Dussehra and Diwali makes the whole month one big festival for the Sikkimese, and the way they enjoy and celebrate is incomparable and simply unmatched by any other football event in any other city or state in India. The tournament has been going on for 30 years non-stop, a record in the country, which is a result of some wonderful planning and organizing by the Sikkim FA.
Mr.Chettri, who was also the Guest of Honour on the second day of the tournament, gives full credit to the SFA, and says, “Kudos to the organizers, for showing exemplary commitment, foresight, and vision. It’s rare to see such a well-organized football event in India, and that’s because every person involved knows his/her role. It is only because of events like these that the state has produced players like Bhaichung, Nirmal Chhetri, and many others.”
He reserves special praise for the main team behind the tournament, SFA President Mr. Tempo Bhutia, Vice President Mr. Karma Bhutia, Gen Secy Mr. Menla Ethenpa, Mr. B.K.Roka, and Publicity Secretary Mr. Shyam Pradhan.
According to the man, the lack of I-League clubs isn’t really a major problem for the local people.
“The Sikkimese know their football, and enjoy good competition much more than mere big names”, he says, echoing the views of SFA President Mr. Tempo Bhutia. However, that doesn’t stop the man from lamenting the lack of big clubs at the event, which also sees the locals miss out on a chance to watch Sikkimese heroes in action.
“The AIFF should try and avoid collision of any of their calendar events with the Governor’s Gold Cup. It’s the longest uninterrupted football cup in India, and sees 20000 plus people pack the stands each day, which may not even be the case for some of the I-League games.”
Not drifting from the topic of the AIFF, Mr. Chettri, who has grown up in the northeast himself, points out, “The AIFF should ensure that such initiatives all over the country receive moral, financial, and organizational support.”
Talking about Goal.com’s involvement in the event, he points out that the site’s strategy in India right from the start has been to promote football from the grassroots, and report organizations that do the same, which is the only way the sport can be taken forward in the country.
Subsequently, he makes an interesting statement, outlining his vision for the website in the country.
“At the moment, there is a gap between the football stars of the country, and the football fans of the country. The stars are waiting for the fans, and the fans are waiting for the stars. Goal.com wants to become that platform, or the bridge, where the two can meet to take football to another level altogether.”
Meanwhile, officials of the Sikkim FA are delighted with the website’s involvement in the event, as for the first time, the tournament that was confined to the people of the hills can now be followed by football fans all over India and because of Goal.com reach beyond India.
The SFA and Goal.com have also intimated that they have entered into a mutual agreement that will see both organizations complimenting each other in various ways. The details are not out at the moment, and will be revealed in the days to come.
And we can’t even get a word from Mr. Chettri before he trots off to get back among the fans to follow the live action, and I don’t blame him.
There could be nothing more interesting than the tournament in town at the moment, and for the next 10 days!
Source:Goal.com
Mr. Chettri has been in Gangtok for the past few days, soaking up the atmosphere of the 30th All India Governor’s Gold Cup, which has begun amidst a lot of fan following, music, and colour in the city.
Says Mr. Chettri, “I’m not surprised at the success of the tournament, as domestic football tournaments are way bigger crowd pullers than even domestic cricket tournaments in India. But the carnival atmosphere all over town, even in the evenings when the matches are over, is simply phenomenal. Everyone, right from the taxi driver to the hotel receptionist is talking football, which is heartening to see.”
It’s no exaggeration, as the strategic placement of the event between the Dussehra and Diwali makes the whole month one big festival for the Sikkimese, and the way they enjoy and celebrate is incomparable and simply unmatched by any other football event in any other city or state in India. The tournament has been going on for 30 years non-stop, a record in the country, which is a result of some wonderful planning and organizing by the Sikkim FA.
Mr.Chettri, who was also the Guest of Honour on the second day of the tournament, gives full credit to the SFA, and says, “Kudos to the organizers, for showing exemplary commitment, foresight, and vision. It’s rare to see such a well-organized football event in India, and that’s because every person involved knows his/her role. It is only because of events like these that the state has produced players like Bhaichung, Nirmal Chhetri, and many others.”
He reserves special praise for the main team behind the tournament, SFA President Mr. Tempo Bhutia, Vice President Mr. Karma Bhutia, Gen Secy Mr. Menla Ethenpa, Mr. B.K.Roka, and Publicity Secretary Mr. Shyam Pradhan.
According to the man, the lack of I-League clubs isn’t really a major problem for the local people.
“The Sikkimese know their football, and enjoy good competition much more than mere big names”, he says, echoing the views of SFA President Mr. Tempo Bhutia. However, that doesn’t stop the man from lamenting the lack of big clubs at the event, which also sees the locals miss out on a chance to watch Sikkimese heroes in action.
“The AIFF should try and avoid collision of any of their calendar events with the Governor’s Gold Cup. It’s the longest uninterrupted football cup in India, and sees 20000 plus people pack the stands each day, which may not even be the case for some of the I-League games.”
Not drifting from the topic of the AIFF, Mr. Chettri, who has grown up in the northeast himself, points out, “The AIFF should ensure that such initiatives all over the country receive moral, financial, and organizational support.”
Talking about Goal.com’s involvement in the event, he points out that the site’s strategy in India right from the start has been to promote football from the grassroots, and report organizations that do the same, which is the only way the sport can be taken forward in the country.
Subsequently, he makes an interesting statement, outlining his vision for the website in the country.
“At the moment, there is a gap between the football stars of the country, and the football fans of the country. The stars are waiting for the fans, and the fans are waiting for the stars. Goal.com wants to become that platform, or the bridge, where the two can meet to take football to another level altogether.”
Meanwhile, officials of the Sikkim FA are delighted with the website’s involvement in the event, as for the first time, the tournament that was confined to the people of the hills can now be followed by football fans all over India and because of Goal.com reach beyond India.
The SFA and Goal.com have also intimated that they have entered into a mutual agreement that will see both organizations complimenting each other in various ways. The details are not out at the moment, and will be revealed in the days to come.
And we can’t even get a word from Mr. Chettri before he trots off to get back among the fans to follow the live action, and I don’t blame him.
There could be nothing more interesting than the tournament in town at the moment, and for the next 10 days!
Source:Goal.com
