Governor's Gold Cup: Their Secret!

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

The 30th All India Governor's Gold Cup Is Here!

The annual football tournament that has brought to light talents like Baichung Bhutia is back again this year, and the Gen. Secy of the Sikkim FA, Mr. Menla Ethenpa, spoke at length to Goal.com on the event, and football in general...

1) Hello and thank you for taking time out for Goal.com sir. Could you please tell us and our readers about the Governor’s Gold Cup?

Sure. The All India Governor’s Gold Cup is an annual football tournament that is held in Gangtok, and has been so for the last thirty years. Among the AIFF sanctioned tournaments, this has the record for being the longest uninterrupted tournament, right from its inception in 1978. Apart from Indian club teams, teams from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal also take part regularly, which is why we sometimes call the tournament a “Mini SAFF Games”.

2) How is the tournament’s 30th edition shaping up?

It’s just around the corner now, and we’re looking forward to it immensely. It kicks off on 14th October with Sikkim’s Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh being the Chief Guest, and our Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling being present as the Guest of Honour. We have 16 teams for the cup as usual, which include National XI’s from Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, along with Indian sides such as New Delhi Heroes, Punjab Police, and the Tata Football Academy XI. Baichung Bhutia’s club, Sikkim United, will also be taking part. The tournament will be held in a knock out format, at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, culminating in the final on 25th October.

3) The absence of the I-League teams must have hurt your plans?

Yes it has. Past winners of the tournament include teams like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, but since the advent of the I-League, it’s difficult for the top teams to be released for tournaments such as these, making it mandatory for us to look for teams elsewhere. However, tickets are still selling as much as before, and we’re confident that the event will be a success like it has been every year.

4) You spoke of the people coming to watch the games. What has been the turnout for the cup over the years?

Football is in the blood of the people of Sikkim, as everyone knows. We have huge turnouts each year for the games, with the turnout reaching up to 35000 spectators at once. The people see the tournament as a festival which lasts for a couple of weeks, and enjoy it thoroughly. Due to the hilly terrain and the climate in the state, we can hold the tournament only during a limited span in October, or April, so the people flock to the ground in large numbers each year.

5) What are the playing conditions like at the Paljor Stadium at the moment?

The stadium is in good condition, as it was revamped only two years ago and inaugurated by Mr.APJ Abdul Kalam. The 30000 capacity is also more than sufficient for the Sikkim crowds, and we hope to fill it up completely during the tournament. The ground will also host the matches for the “Manchester United Premier Championship”, a competition where U-15 club sides from all over India compete in order to gain the chance to go to Manchester and compete with the Red Devils’ side themselves. The Paljor Stadium will host all the matches for the East and Northeast zone.

6) Besides entertaining the people, what would you see as the contribution of this tournament to Indian football?

Players! In fact, the current Indian skipper, Baichung Bhutia, was first spotted at one of these games itself. Even Nirmal Chhetri was picked up by Air India after they saw him at this tournament, just like many others. There are about a dozen Sikkimese players playing in the national leagues at the moment, and the AFC Cup winning squad had seven players from the Northeast. So, I would see this event as a stepping stone to greater success for a number of young players.

7) Could you tell us about the FIFA Goal Project II, which has chosen Sikkim among other places to invest in?

Yes, they have chosen to Invest Rs.1 Crore in Sikkim, and all the paperwork has been completed. We are planning to use half of the money is developing a brand new football turf, which will be of international standards, and the other half will go towards building a new training centre for budding footballers in the region. Hopefully the work should start early next year.

8) Who finances the tournament except the Sikkim FA? Is the AIFF involved too?

In fact, we need to pay the AIFF to hold the event! That is, we need to pay them a registration fee for the tournament. The AIFF too has started receiving sponsorship only recently, and state level investment may take time. And otherwise too, there are no corporate houses who have invested in this event over the years. Sikkim doesn’t have any major industries here, so big companies refrain from sponsoring events in the region.

The Sikkim FA has been organizing the tournament each year without any sponsorship. We also organize other club events around the year, including women’s football events. In fact, we are planning to stage a national level women’s club tournament next year, and maybe go international the year after that.

9) How important is Baichung to the tournament?

Him being the icon of the state, and of football all over India, his name attracts a lot of people to the event. It helps in raising awareness of the cup and creates the much needed hype as well. Even though he wont be playing, his club will be taking part in the event, and we hope they’ll put up a good show in front of their home fans.

10) Any plans of expanding the tournament in the future, or shifting the event in order to allow I-League teams to take part?

Actually, we do plan to bring in teams from Southeast Asia, and one club from Thailand was to come this year, but had to drop out at the last moment. In the past, clubs from Thailand and Malaysia have taken part, and we will continue to invite them every year. As far as the dates of the tournament are concerned, we are giving it a serious thought. We would definitely like the I-League teams to be part of this huge Sikkimese event, and if possible, we will shift the dates in the future to accommodate them.

Mr. Ethenpa, thanks once again for speaking with Goal.com, and we all hope the Governor’s Gold Cup is a huge success once more this year, and throws up a few more exciting names who can light up India’s footballing future!

It has been a pleasure, and we hope so too!

Source:Goal.com

All India Governor’s Gold Cup - A Prelude

The might of Nigerian players awaits football fans of Sikkim during the 30th edition of the All India Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament as most of participating clubs employing their services for the most prestigious football event in North East which kicks off from tomorrow.

Barring the twelve top clubs in the country which is participating in the I-league, most of the other premier teams like Army XI, Tata Football Academy (TFA), New Delhi Heroes and BSF (Jalandar) are participating in this coveted tournament.

There are a total of 15 teams with two international teams of Nepal and Bangladesh. Most of these 15 teams have two or three Nigerian players in their ranks, informed the organizers Sikkim Football Association (SFA).

Indian football star Bhaichung Bhutia’s home team, United Sikkim Sporting Club (USSC) will lock horns with Delhi’s premier football club, Simla Youngs in the lung opener tomorrow afternoon here at Paljor Stadium. USSC coach and former East Bengal player Sherap Lepcha informed that that his team has roped in four Nigerian players for the tournament. Bhaichung Bhutia is the chief patron of USSC and has arranged four players from Kolkatta football league to play for this club in the Gold Cup. He was in Gangtok during the Dusshera break to finalize the USSC team. Our team will be a mixture of local players and the imported players and we will give our best shot, said Mr. Lepcha who ranked his opponent Simla Youngs as a ‘very good side’. The Delhi side is arriving Gangtok today evening. USSC is also trying to get permission to have local lad Asish Chettri for tomorrow’s match. Asish Chettri is the lone Sikkimese player to play regularly for the U-16 national football team and has been selected for final World Cup qualifying rounds in the national team.

Sikkim Police is the other home team which is featuring in this tournament and faces Darjeeling team on October 15.

Though Army XI, BSF (Jalandhar) and Nepal side are the perennial favourites, TFA is touted as the team to watch out during this tournament. TFA had participated in Gold Cup twice and won the 2005 edition. That time, TFA was basically had junior players which now have graduated into senior team and right now nobody knows the condition of TFA team, said SFA spokesperson Shyam Pradhan.

The pre-quarterfinal match between Mohan Bagan SAIL and New Delhi Heroes on October 16 is the most anticipated match as it sees two former football legends, Shyam Thapa and Cheema Ockeri plotting against each other. Mr. Thapa is the coach for Mohan Bagan SAIL while Mr. Ockeri is handling the Delhi team and how they will frame their strategies will be most interesting, SFA said.

Three Star from Nepal which has been given a direct quarterfinal berth along with Army XI, Titanium (Kerela) and Bangladesh XI is one of the crowd favourites. The team had narrowly lost to its arch rival NRT from Nepal in the last year’s final. However, this time most of the NRT players have jumped to Three Star giving it a very good chance in this tournament.

“Each match will be very competitive and entertaining”, said SFA general secretary Menla Ethanpa.

The teams: Simla Youngs (Delhi), United Sikkim Sporting Club, Sikkim Police, DGHC XI, Punjab Police, Railway FC, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Mohan Bagan SAIL, New Delhi Heroes, BSF (Jalandhar), Tata Football Academy, Army XI, Titanium (Kerela), Bangladesh XI and Three Star (Nepal).

Source:Goal.com

Governor's Gold Cup: President Speaks!

Minutes ahead of the first game of the 30th All India Governor's Gold Cup, Goal.com managed to catch up with the President of the Sikkim FA, Mr. Tempo Bhutia, for a quick word...

With the 30th All India Governor's Gold Cup minutes away, the man who has probably worked the most for it throughout the year, Mr.Tempo Bhutia, looked as animated and excited as ever.

"We work hard for this tournament all year, and more importantly, all of Sikkim waits for this event, so we're all looking forward to it." The tournament kicks off without any I-League club, a problem which is yet to be dealt with by the organizers, but the President doesn't think it will affect the overall success of the event. "I'm expecting the tournament to be a big success agaiin, big names or no big names. The local people love to see good competition, and the sides that are playing in the cup are all comptetitive and closely matched. I think there'll be a lot of exciting football on show."

In fact, the Sikkim FA has decided to start another tournament in the month of April next year onwards, in order to make up for the loss of the big sides at this event, by inviting at least 3-4 of them during the spring. Also, a national level women's tournament will take place next year, after which they plan to go international, a first of its kind in the country.

Set in the beautiful hilly terrain of Sikkim, the Paljor Stadium has a buzz all around it, and looks full of colour, all set to host the knock out event. Mr. Bhutia points out that the event is strategically placed in the month of October. "We host the event between the Pujas and Diwali, so that the festive mood infects the tournament, making it a bigger success, and making the locals enjoy it more."

So where's the other Bhutia (I mean Baichung)? "Baichung is in his village at the moment, but his club is taking part in the competition. He's helped as usual by attracting a number of his fans to the event, which is a huge plus for us."

In fact, the first match today at 2.15pm sees the Indian skipper's club, United Sikkim SC, take on Simla Youngs from Delhi.

Any predictions? "It's going to be tough to predict these games, because like I said, they're all evenly matched. We all know who the crowd is rooting for, though!"

"Well said!", I say to him, as the cheers get a litle too loud for me to hear anything else!

Source:Goal.com