Wondering how a football tournament in India can attract huge crowds, and literally pack the stadium each day for two weeks? Here's the Sikkimese secret...
It's strange to think that a state like Sikkim, small and not too densely populated, can throw up such huge numbers at football games that would put other bigger cities and states to shame. Every day of the Governor's Gold Cup sees thousands of supporters flock to the ground, with numbers reaching and exceeding 30000 towards the business end of the competition. So how do they do it? Do they have some other provisions that allow so many people to watch all the matches?
Yes they do!
In a smart but ingenious move, the Sikkim FA approached the state government five years ago, with a request. Says the Gen. Secy of the Sikkim FA Mr. Menla Ethenpa, "We requested them to allow officials working in government offices to leave work to watch the football games, if they'd bought and produced the ticket in office. We thought it would bring more and more people to the grounds, and it did. Credit to the government, that they saw our point and duly obliged".
That practice goes on till date, and plays a major role in building up the numbers at the Paljor Stadium, even for quarter final matches. Any government servant can leave the office on production of the match ticket for the quarter finals onwards, whereas active members of the Sikkim FA can take leave from the very first game of the tournament itself. They are allowed to leave office at 11am if the game is scheduled at 12 15pm, and at 1pm if the match begins at 2 15pm.
Mr.Ethenpa goes on, "This has been a big help from the government, and has boosted the tournament immensely, as the football fans don't want to miss out on any of the football action during the tournament. It's now ensured that they won't miss it, and they can watch the matches with a peaceful mind!"
Spot on Sir! No wonder football is going from strength to strength is the tiny hilly province of Sikkim, whereas the bigger and financially stronger states continue to lag behind, only because they choose to. This initiative from the Sikkimese government should be lauded, and should set an example for other states, that only doing the simple things right can ensure a much brighter future for football in India.
Source:Goal.com
It's strange to think that a state like Sikkim, small and not too densely populated, can throw up such huge numbers at football games that would put other bigger cities and states to shame. Every day of the Governor's Gold Cup sees thousands of supporters flock to the ground, with numbers reaching and exceeding 30000 towards the business end of the competition. So how do they do it? Do they have some other provisions that allow so many people to watch all the matches?
Yes they do!
In a smart but ingenious move, the Sikkim FA approached the state government five years ago, with a request. Says the Gen. Secy of the Sikkim FA Mr. Menla Ethenpa, "We requested them to allow officials working in government offices to leave work to watch the football games, if they'd bought and produced the ticket in office. We thought it would bring more and more people to the grounds, and it did. Credit to the government, that they saw our point and duly obliged".
That practice goes on till date, and plays a major role in building up the numbers at the Paljor Stadium, even for quarter final matches. Any government servant can leave the office on production of the match ticket for the quarter finals onwards, whereas active members of the Sikkim FA can take leave from the very first game of the tournament itself. They are allowed to leave office at 11am if the game is scheduled at 12 15pm, and at 1pm if the match begins at 2 15pm.
Mr.Ethenpa goes on, "This has been a big help from the government, and has boosted the tournament immensely, as the football fans don't want to miss out on any of the football action during the tournament. It's now ensured that they won't miss it, and they can watch the matches with a peaceful mind!"
Spot on Sir! No wonder football is going from strength to strength is the tiny hilly province of Sikkim, whereas the bigger and financially stronger states continue to lag behind, only because they choose to. This initiative from the Sikkimese government should be lauded, and should set an example for other states, that only doing the simple things right can ensure a much brighter future for football in India.
Source:Goal.com
