Ms. Kritika Rai selected for PSPB, a national level TT training center

Ms. Kritika Rai (13) years, representative of Sikkim Table Tennis Association (STTA) has been selected during the selection camp organized by Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) recently at Ajmer, PSPB is a full time national training center in India.

This is for the 3rd time a representative from STTA has been given this opportunity and for Ms. Rai this has been a great boon from heaven, said the General Secretary, Sikkim Table Tennis Association, Mr. Karma Bhutia. Mr. Bhutia also said that, after being selected by PSPB, Ms. Rai who has proved her mettle in the game will be awarded the facilities in the academy by PSPB which includes free boarding, free schooling with uniform and books along with free training inclusive of all equipments, sports kit and all the expenses will be born by PSPB.

Mr. Bhutia also informed that, Ms. Rai will also be provided with an allowance of Rs.200 per month, transport for school and her admission will be arranged in one of the best schools in Ajmer.

Mr. Bhutia added that, past few days, STTA had held a selection camp here in the capital and observing Ms. Rai’s talent in table tennis during the selection camp had been sent to Ajmer by STTA for final selection where she was selected based on her performance.

“We are delighted as Ms. Rai’s selection in PSPB has paid our efforts made in the format of Table tennis in state making us proud and the state as well” said Mr. Bhutia. Ms. Rai has created a history in a very tender age, as this opportunity hardly arrives in ones lives. We are grateful towards the association who has played a major role in her success. Without a loyal guidance and support of President STTA, Mr. CK Basnet, Ms. Rai would not have been successful, added Mr. Bhutia.

During the selection held at Ajmer by PSPB, different school children from across the nation, boys and girls aged between 8 to14 years participated where Ms. Rai came out victorious informed Mr. Bhutia.

courtesy: sikkim mail

4th DB Subba Memorial inter school TT championship 2011 kicks off GANGTOK

The 4th late D.B Subba Memorial Inter School Table Tennis Championship 2011 kicks started on 15th April here at Gymnasium Hall, Palzor Stadium organized by Sikkim Table Tennis Academy, Tadong under the aegis of Sikkim Table Tennis Association (STTA) which will last for three days. Total of 200 players from all four districts, school have participated under different age groups events that are below 12 years, Sub-Junior and Open tournament etc.

The main purpose of conducting the event is to provide best opportunities to the players through the tournament, informed the Director of Sikkim Table Tennis Academy, Tadong Mr. BB Subba, who is also the son of Late. Mr. D.B Subba. This is the 4th time that the championship is being conducted informed the Director. Further more Mr. Subba added that the Academy also provides training to the students of surrounding areas of Tadong for the tournament and since 2007 the academy is operating and training the players.

Adding further Mr. Subba mentioned that this time St. Xavier’s School (Pakyong), Greendale Academy did not participate in the tournament but believed that other participating schools will definitely make the event a grand success.

The schools part taking in the tournament are Tashi Namgyal Academy, Enchey School, PNGSS, Deorali Girls School, Daffodil, Bahai School (Tadong), Bahai School (Saramsa), New Lite Senior School, Namchi, Ranipool School, Army School (Libing), Army School (Lingdok), Modern School (Tathengchen), West Point School (Tathengchen), Sai School, Sichey School, Lingdok School (9 Mile), including some players from schools from Kalimpong.

source : isikkim.com

Sikkim boys excels in AIFF U-13 boys football in Tamil Naidu

March 25: In th AIFF U-13 Boys Football Championship being held at Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim team is creating wave by winning all the preliminary matches. They defeated Uttarakhand by 7-2 in their inaugural match played on March 21.

Sikkim trounced HImachal Pradesh on March 22 by 8-1. The winning streak continued on the third day as the Sikkim team thrashed the Karnataka team by 7-1.

In the last match of the preliminary round played on March 25, Sikkim defeated Punjab by 3-1.

Speaking to the media, Sikkim Football Association's general secretary Mela Ethenpa said that the Sikkim team has reached the quarter final round.

As per the information received from the coach Pranay Subba, the AIFF selectors were very happy with the performances of Sikkimese boys. "A couple of our boys are surely going to get berth in the coaching camp for the India Team," Enthenpa opines.

The boys for this championship are drawn from the U-13 teams being nurtured by the Boys Club of Gangtok.

Namchi SSS ‘Jaago Re Soccer Stars Season 4’

Thirty three teams from various schools across Gangtok participated in Arsenal Tata Tea ‘Jaago Re Soccer Stars Season 4’ held here at Tashi Namgyal Academy ground organized by High Life Event Management under the guidance of the Sikkim Football Association (SFA).

This is for the first time that Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Stars, the National Tournament from Tata Tea in association with Arsenal Football Club, UK have come to Gangtok in its 4th edition with the zonal round to TNA. The two days of event concluded on 20th March.

In the final match Namchi Senior Secondary School defeated Martam Senior Secondary School with 2-0 goals where by the winning team was felicitated with trophy and certificate by the Chief Guest, Secretary Sports Department, Mr. Karma P Bhutia. Furthermore the winning team Namchi Senior Secondary School will now be playing in the National Level Championship scheduled to be held at Shillong, Meghalaya from next month.

During the tournament the selectors have short listed skillful players like Master Tshering Zangpo and Master Khusen Manger of Namchi Senior Secondary School and Master.Yougyal Lepcha from Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School. These three players will take part in 10 day long camp at Kolkata under the coaches and technical team of Arsenal Football Club, England from 23rd of May 2011 along with selected players from other venues around the country. The best players of the camp will further be provided with opportunity to join Arsenal Football Club, England and to take part in the coaching camp and to play matches as well for Arsenal.

The chief selector Mr. Jamshed Nassir, an ex international player from Iran who has also played for Mohhameddan Sporting and East Bengal while speaking to the media said that the talents here in Sikkim in the game of football is tremendous. Mr. Nassir adding further said that he was very impressed to see many young talented players in Sikkim and added that it was worth coming to Sikkim, home to Indian ace footballer Mr. Bhaichung Bhutia and organize such an event which will pave a platform and give exposure to many young emerging talents.

Mr. Nassir said that the three players who have been selected from the camp are amongst the best players having been selected from across the country. Mr. Nassir further asserted that the three selected player has a fair chance to grab this perfect opportunity to get selected and go to England.

Courtesy: isikkim

Another BHAICHUNG from SIKKIM

Sikkim is the HOME for new RISING STARS in football. As we know Bhaichung Bhutia, Nirmal Chettri, Sanju Pradhan has already made SIKKIM proud. Here next STARS are eagerly waiting for their success in FOOTBALL.

Two 14 year old budding footballers, Suman Rai from Decheling in East Sikkim and Ram Chettri of Arithang in Gangtok, have been selected for a month’s training and to play matches for West German Football Club, Bayern Munich.

The two boys, both class VII students coached by the Boys Club of Sikkim, one of the oldest in the state, said, “We are extremely happy since now we have got one of the biggest platforms to showcase our talents. We shall do all that is in us to do our state and our country, India proud during the German tour.

The two were selected on November 16 in Kolkata by Bayern chief selector, Paul Brettner who had represented Germany in the 1974 World Cup and had scored a lone goal against the Netherlands.

Sikkim Football Association, president, Tempo Bhutia said that the two were shortlisted from 45 in the under-14 boys and hadoutshone the rest with their outstanding speed, skills and tactics which impressed the Bayern Munich scout in Kolkata.

X'clusive Interview With Indian Solid Rock Defender Nirmal Chettri

Chettri was born in Melli Bazaar (border between WB & Sikkim). He is the youngest in the Family with an elder brother & four sisters. Chettri is currently playing for Kolkata Giants East Bengal & been playing for the National Team from the beginning of U-14, U-17 & U-19 respectively & now he is the current member of U-23 National Team.


1- When did you start playing football?
Chettri: I started playing Football at the age of 9, when I was in my childhood I used to play Football for fun with my friends. My real life starts when I got selected in Namchi Sports Hostel, in a Scheme called "SEARCH FOR MORE BHAICHUNGS" in 2000.

2. Who are the people who supported you from the beginning of your career?
Chettri: First of all my mom who stood behind me in my every problems & pushed e in every difficulties & obviously my family members, my Academy coaches Hangu Norden, Lt Solomon Karthak & Suren Chettri, former Air India Coach Mr Bimal Ghosh, former East Bengal coach Stanely Rosario & last but not least the National Team Coach Mr Colintoal, my teammates of Academy, Air India, East Bengal & the National Team.

3. Who are the Sports persons & Teams that you admire a lot?
Chettri: Sports Persons I admire a lot is Rio Ferdinand & Bhaichung Bhutia & about the team is non other than Manchester Utd. I'm a die hard fan as well as follower of Red Devil.

4. What is your Favorite Food?
Chettri: Kheer which is made by my mom & I'm not so choosy about the foods.

5. What is your favourite kind of Music?
Chettri: I love to hear music when i am traveling. I like western hip-hop & nepali music which touches My soul.

6. Can you share some of your happiest moments..?
Chettri: Yeah sure! first when I wore National Team jersey & when we (Namchi Sports Hostel) reached the final of U-14 Subroto Mukherjee Cup at Delhi in 2002 as well as my first International Tournaments in South Korea called Interreligious Peace Sports Festival (IPSF) with Namchi Sports Hostel in 2004 which I can't forget in my lifetime.

7. So what about your saddest moments?
Chettri: Losing with Mohan Bagan very badly in I-League last year though I scored & losing my mom which is a nightmare for me.

8. Your Football related Goals?
Chettri: Yeah I have lots of plans to be fulfilled. First of all I am looking to have My Academy in memory of my mom in my hometown.

9. Favourite Sport other than Football?
Chettri: I keep interest in all indoor games i.e. Table Tennis & Badminton.

10. What do you do when you are out of football?
Chettri: I just love to go for drive & movie with my mates. Sometimes hanging with my friends in Disco.

11. Your best friends that play in the East Bengal Team or from your academy?
Chettri: I love my teammates of both (East Bengal & Academy). But my real teammates is Sanju Pradhan, with whom I started my carrer from Academy till East Bengal.

12. Your favourite place where you dream to visit?
Chettri: I really want to visit Old Trafford (Home of Manchester Utd).

13. Who do you give credit and seek guidance for making your football carrer?
Chettri: First of all my Family, my coaches(with whom I work), my teammates (Air India,East Bengal & The National Team), my academy mates & the people of my hometown, teachers of my schools (Melli, Namchi Sr Sec School & West Point in Gangtok), my seniors and Mr. Karma Yougall (Ex Joint Director, Deptt. of Sports & Youth Affairs, Govt of Sikkim) and last but not least Mr. P.S. Tamang (Former Sports Minister) who supported me a lot from my academy Days.

14. What did you think is your strength & weakness as a player?
Chettri: I'm a versatile player & I dont believe in one strength. I know I can fulfill any places where the coaches wants me to play. I'm a sraight forward player & I never look back when it comes to enter in the fields. About my weakness I know no one is perfect. I know I've lots of work to hide my weakness. I trust myself & hope I'll be better this year.

15. About Your Journey from Scoring Striker to a Sensible defender?
Chettri: Actually I was born as a striker. Even I got selected as a striker in Namchi Sports Hostel. My position changed when we were playing in Mini SARCC Tournament at Gangtok in 2006 when one of my friend got injured playing in his village. So we didn't had any alternates & my coach asked me to fulfill his place because of my leadership in the field and the mean time our team clicked and reached the final though we lost to Nepal (via Tie-Breaker). After the successful tournament we got entry to play in All India Governor's Gold Cup at Gangtok. From where me & Sanju Pradhan were picked by Mumbai Gaints Air India.

Achievements Of Chettri:
2000: Joined Namchi Sports Hostel.
2001-04: Winners of U-14 Sikkim League.
Represent Namchi Sports Hostel in U-14 Subroto Cup.
Got National Talent Scholarships for 3 consecutive years.
2002: Reached Final of U-14 Subroto Cup & Lost to Mizoram (2-1)
Attend U-14 National Camp at Jameshdpur.
2003: Represent NSH in Chief Minnister Gol Cup at Namchi.
2004: Represent Namchi Sports Hostel in IPSF at South Korea.
Winners of All India Rural Sports Festival at Siliguri.
2005: Represent U-17 India in Exposure Trip to Portugal.
2006: Shifted to Sports Academy of Sikkim,Gangtok
Represent SAS in Mini SARCC at Gangtok.
SAS in Governors' Gold Cup.
Siikim Team in Santosh Trophy at Gurgoan,Haryana.
Signed for Air India Mumbai
2007: Represent U-19 National Team in Germany.
Attained Senior National Camp for AFC Challange & SAFF Championship at Goa.
2008: Signed for Renowned Club East Bengal.
Represent Sikkim Team in Santosh Trophy at Chennai.
2009: Represent East Bengal Team in Trips to Myanmar
Represent U-23 National Team in SAFF Championship at Bangladesh & AFC Challange Cup at Sri Lanka.
Members of Winning U-23 National Team in SAFF Championship at Bangladesh.
Members of East Bengal Team which won 12th Federation Cup at Guwahati.
2010: Represent East Bengal Team in AFC Cup at Syria,Kuwait & Lebanon.
Leading Sikkim team in Santosh Trophy at Calcutta.

As told by: Nirmal Chettri

Rising Stars of SIKKIM

Baichung Bhutia :

(born 15 December 1976) is an Indian footballer. He is considered to be the torchbearer of Indian football in the international arena.Currently the captain of the Indian team,he plays for East Bengal Club. He is often nicknamed the Sikkimese Sniper because of his shooting skills in football.Three-time Indian Player of the Year I. M. Vijayan described Bhutia as "God's gift to Indian football".

Bhutia has had four spells at I-League football team East Bengal Club, the club where he started his career. When he signed up to play for the English club Bury F.C. in 1999 he became the first Indian footballer to play professional football in Europe.

Nirmal Chettri

(born 21 December 1990) is an Indian professional footballer who plays for East Bengal Club.. He captained the Sikkim team in the 2009 Santosh Trophy in the absence of Baichung Bhutia.

Chettri was originally a striker however, while at the mini SAARC competition representing the Sports Academy of Sikkim, a defender was injured and Chettri took his place. The coach decided that Chettri was better as a defender and played him in that position from that day onwards.He started his career at FC Air India in 2006 and moved to East Bengal Club in 2008 after two seasons at the Mumbai-based clubHe has established himself as a regular in East Bengal's first team.

Sanju Pradhan

(born 15 August 1989 in Sikkim) is an Indian footballer, who currently plays for East Bengal Club.

Information from wikipedia