Gangtok, January 30 (IPR): Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang , and his spouse Smt Krishna Rai, graced the opening ceremony of Sikkim Premier League 2023 as the Chief Guest here at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok today.
The sporting event was organized by Football Development (P) Ltd under the aegis of Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Govt of Sikkim.
Co-founder, Football Development (P) Ltd, Shri Nirmal Chettri, in his welcome address expressed joy on the opening day of Sikkim Premier League and said that the concept of the League is to give birth to professional football which will inspire new generation of footballers in the State. In his brief speech, he also thanked everyone who supported the League leading to this special day.
At the commencement of the ceremony, Khadas, Mementos and Bouquets were presented to the Chief Guest and other Special Guests followed by cultural programme performed by local artists. It is to be mentioned that several hit melodious tunes in Hindi and Nepali were sung by local artists- UNB, Jetsen Dohna Lama, Rewash Gurung and Nepal’s iconic singer Raju Lama during the ceremony.Other honorary mention includes the theme song for Sikkim Premier League composed by Ms. Remanti Rai.
The ceremony also included the introduction of Franchise owners and captains who were felicitated through the hands of Hon’ble Chief Minister.
The eight teams which will participate in the maiden Sikkim Premier League 2023 are Aakraman SC (Gangtok), Brothers United FC (Gyalshing), Red Panda FC (Namchi), Roaring Leopard FC (Pakyong), Sikkim Dragons (Gangtok), Singling Sporting Club (Soreng), Siniolchu FC (Namchi) and Thunderbolt North United (Mangan). The matches will be played in Paljor Stadium (Gangtok) and Bhaichung Stadium (Namchi) from 30th January 2023 to April 4, 2023. The tournament format will include round robin format and the teams finishing top four will advance to the semi-finals.
The Chief Minister declared the start of Sikkim Premier League 2023 and kicked the ball towards the crowd to officially start the tournament before the Kick-Off.
The first match was a Gangtok derby played between FC Aakraman Sikkim United and Sikkim Dragons FC which was won by Aakraman SC with 2-1 scoreline. The next match will be played between Red Panda FC and Siniolchu FC on February 4 at Bhaichung Stadium, Namchi.
The event had the presence of Speaker SLA, Shri Arun Upreti, Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture & Cash crops, Animal Husbandry, Livestock fisheries & Veterinary services and Labour Department, Shri L.N. Sharma, Minister of Forest, Environment & Wildlife, Mines, Mineral & Geology and Science & technology, Shri Karma Loday Bhutia, Area MLA Gangtok, Shri Y.T. Lepcha,Secretary to HCM, Shri S.D. Dhakal,Political Secretary to HCM, Shri Jacob Khaling, Press Secretary to HCM, Shri Bikash Basnet, Chairmen, Advisors, HoDs of various line departments, DIGP Special Branch, Shri Prawin Gurung, SDGP Law and Order, Shri Akshay Sachdeva IPS, SFA President, Shri Menla Ethenpa, Deputy Mayor GMC, Ms. Tshering Palden Bhutia, Co-Founders and Board of Directors from Sikkim Development (P) Ltd., representatives of Teesta Urja Limited, concerned Govt officials from various line departments and the general public.
