XtraTime Web Desk: Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia is all set to have a stadium named after him at his native Namchi. The Padma Shri award winner will be inaugurating the stadium himself in which is twenty five kilometers away from his birthplace Tinkitam in Sikkim.
“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,” Menla Ethenpa, President, Sikkim Football Association said to www.the-aiff.com.
This will be the first stadium named after a footballer in the country. Dr. Karni Singh shooting range in New Delhi is named after the shooting legend while legendary Dhyan Chand also has a stadium named after him.
Meanwhile, Bhaichung, the first Indian Footballer to play 100 International matches stated he is “honoured” as it’s going to be the first-ever Football Stadium in India named after a footballer.
“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,” Bhutia sounded nostalgic.
Groundwork of the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Stadium started in the 2010s before it faced many a roadblock owing to financial difficulties. After Prem Singh Tamang, current Chief Minister of Sikkim, assumed his office, the construction work resumed once again.
“Our Chief Minister is an avid football supporter and he himself took interest to fast-track the construction work. Had the COVID-19 pandemic situation not disturbed the entire scenario, the stadium could have already been inaugurated already,” Ethenpa informed further.
The artificial turf has already been laid besides setting up the 15,000-capacity stands. Mr. Ethenpa further added that the plan of installing floodlights is already in the pipeline and it’ll be covered in the second phase of work.
“After resuming the work, it took less than fourteen months to finish. Chief Minister himself was monitoring the progress. The capacity of the stadium is 15,000 and we’ve already planned to install floodlights in the second phase.”
Courtesy: AIFF Media