Bhaichung Bhutia | World soccer veterans set up Sikkim date

Gangtok, Jan. 15.TT: Bhaichung Bhutia’s boys will take on yesteryear’s international players like Dutch superstar Ruud Gullit and Colombian maverick Carlos Valderrama at an exhibition match here on January 22.

The Super Football is being organised by the Sikkim government to instil confidence among tourists who are reluctant to come to the state following the earthquake on September 18 last year.

Rudolf Schenker, the founding member of German heavy metal band Scorpions, and world motorbike champion Tim Trenker will also team up with the international footballers to form Superstar XI who will play against Bhaiching’s United Sikkim Football Club.

“The Sikkim government is going all out to bring the state back on the tourism map. After the earthquake last September, the tourism inflow came down drastically. There were lots of rumours floating around that Sikkim was not a safe destination. So, we are bringing footballers practically from all parts of the world to play in Sikkim to send across a message that the state is safe,” sports minister N.K. Pradhan told journalists here today.

The government has formed a committee for the event and agreed to waive stadium fees and entertainment taxes.

“The match is also for a charitable cause. Proceeds from the event will go to charity. The committee will work out how the amount should be spent,” said the minister.

Apart from Gullit and Valderrama, the Superstar XI also features Ali Daei from Iran, Christian Karembeau of France, Claudio Caniggia of Argentina and international Dutch player Regi Blinker.

Daei, Karembeau and Caniggia had played in World Cups.

“World motorbike champion Tim Trenker will also be in the squad and there will be more additions. Schenker will not only play but will also jam during the interval,” said Sunil Hamal of the event management company, with which the government has tied up for the match.

Bhaichung, who was also with the minister at the press meet, said actor Rahul Bose was expected to join the Superstar XI.

“We have also invited former footballers I.M. Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri, Alvito D’Cunha and Cheema Okorie to play for the Superstar XI,” he said.

The former Indian captain, who co-owns the United Sikkim, will also play along with his boys at the match at Paljor Stadium.

“It will be an opportunity for United Sikkim to play against such big names and we are looking forward to it. The match will inspire a lot of young players when they see the likes of Valderrama and Gullit playing here,” said Bhaichung.

Despite the ticket prices, the organisers hope that the gallery will be full at Paljor Stadium which can accommodate 18,000 spectators. The price of ticket for the hill side gallery has been fixed at Rs 500. Entry to the two pavilion stands cost Rs 1,200, while one has to shell out Rs 2,000 for the VIP gallery.

“Tickets will be on sale from tomorrow in different parts of Sikkim. The football fans can book online also. We expect the tickets to be sold out by January 20. It is a once in a lifetime event and I am sure people will come,” said Sports secretary Karma P. Bhutia, who is also the secretary of the organising committee.