Baichung Bhutia is considered as one of the greatest ever footballers of India. He was born in Tinkitam, Sikkim in 1976. He is now going to be the first-ever footballer in the country to have a stadium named after him.
A floodlit, 15,000-capacity stadium has been built in Namchi, which is 25 kilometres away from Bhutia’s birthplace in Tinkitam. It will be inaugurated once the Coronavis pandemic gets over.
Menla Ethenpa, President of Sikkim Football Association told All India Football Federation’s official website: “It’s our tribute to one of the best Indian footballers. Even after hanging his boots, Bhaichung Bhutia has been a role model to many and he will continue to inspire young footballers of India, let alone Sikkim. We can’t repay for what he has done for Indian Football. But a stadium named after him might be a small homage towards the great footballer”.
The football stadium named after former Indian legendary striker Bhaichung Bhutia was started building in the 2010s before it faced many obstructions due to financial issues. After current Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang assumed his office, the construction work of the stadium has resumed once again.
The artificial turf has already been laid besides setting up the 15,000-capacity stands. The plan of installing floodlights is already in the pipeline and it’ll be covered in the second phase of work.
Baichung Bhutia feels honoured by this gesture of naming the stadium after him. He said: “I’m very much honoured and excited. If you look at the larger picture I’m happier because the budding footballers will get another top-class facility and infrastructure to play football. This stadium has produced many footballers including me. I have so many memories of playing there.”
He further added: “We have already spoken with the State Government about setting up a Football Academy. It will be a joint venture between the government and United Sikkim – the biggest semi-professional football club in this region. It’ll provide a platform for the youths to play football. We look forward to hosting Golden Baby Leagues too.”
Baichung Bhutia is the only Indian footballer to be inducted into the Asian Football Hall of Fame which has been created by AFC. He has also received the Arjuna award and Padma Shri. After retiring from football, Bhutia has now turned into politics.
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