Bhaichung Bhutia to set up football academy in Siliguri

Darjeeling, Nov. 8: Bhaichung Bhutia today expressed his desire to set up a football academy in Siliguri and was hopeful that the Bengal government would extend help to fulfil his dream.

The former Indian football team captain was in Darjeeling today to see his team United Sikkim take on Techno Aryan in the quarterfinal of the All India Brigade of Gurkha Gold Cup.

“I am hopeful that I can set up a football academy in Siliguri soon as we need many academies to tap in the talent of this region,” he said.

The footballer said the Sikkim government had already extended him support to set up an academy in the state. “Right now, my aim is to ensure that United Sikkim qualify for the I-League (which is the highest league in India) and make it to the biggest and the best club in India in four to five years. United Sikkim is slowly becoming a pan-Indian club and its support base is not just confined to the Northeast,” said the footballer.

Bhaichung is also looking at setting up football schools. “In fact, I have already set up a school in Delhi,” he said.

Unlike academies where serious football training is imparted, schools are places where students come and play soccer more for the fun of the game.

The player doesn’t want to follow other Indian clubs which are planning tie-ups with European teams to set up academics. He is of the opinion that a tie-up with individual footballers would be of greater help than going in for any association with academies.

The footballer said all his future plans had to do with United Sikkim and he was in the process of scouting for new talents. “Since many multinational companies are not based in this region, finding sponsors is the biggest problem now. The team is also new and it will definitely take some time before we find sponsors,” said Bhaichung.

Bhaichung might not have found a brand for his club but there were signs today that he himself was a huge brand even after his retirement. Hundreds of fans followed him around at the St Joseph’s College (North Point) ground where he had come to see his team play.

Autograph hunters and shutterbugs followed him at every step giving him little space to spend time with his club members. Sikkim United beat Techno Aryan in the match with a solitary goal scored by Sushil Kumar Singh in the first half. Singh is also a member of the national squad.

In the second half, the Aryans came back strongly but failed to find the net. Bhaichung’s boys will take on the defending champions Army XI in the semi-final.

United Sikkim will be hoping to fare better in the match against the army and improve their goal conversion rate, which nearly cost the Gangtok team a slot in the semi-final.

TT