United Sikkim Football Club had a splendid season in the 2011-2012 I-League Second Division, winning the title to secure their maiden stint in India’s premier league.
However, ‘The Snow Lions’ were unable to sustain their roaring performance in the top division this year and finished bottom.
Ahead of the upcoming I-League season, former India captain, (player cum assistant coach of United Sikkim) Bhaichung Bhutia spoke to TNIE, reflecting on his team’s report card last season and on Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), which he hopes to expand to South India. “For a club that was only two years old, to qualify for I-League was a great achievement. But the team performance was definitely not satisfactory,” Bhaichung said.
United Sikkim won just two out of their 26 matches last year, and leaked 63 goals. Given the budget of the team and their inexperience, Bhaichung remains optimistic about their chances in the future. “We were a very small team. The sponsorship and finances was very limited. In fact, we were the club with the lowest budget in the I-League last season. Whatever said and done, I expected the players, with the talented players we had, to do better,” he remarked.
The Gangtok-based club lost many close matches and Bhaichung feels the team could have been better placed had the results gone their way. The team was involved in six matches, where they either lost or drew, conceding a goal in stoppage time. “Lot of the results didn’t go in our favor. We lost out some important points conceding goals after the 90th minute,” he said.
Bhaichung himself was managing the team until Australia’s Nathan Hall replaced him last December. Donning the coach’s cap for the first time, he said it was challenging though enjoyable. “I thoroughly enjoyed my one and a half years experience as coach/player. It was difficult at times because I was still a player. With greater responsibility, my pattern of training was affected and I couldn’t play much. However, it was a new challenge for me and I had a great learning experience,” he reflected
He said the team will look to give more opportunities for home-grown players in the upcoming season, which is scheduled from this November. “We are focusing more on the local talent. More opportunities and exposure will be given to the local players. The team will be touring to Bhutan for a pre-season tournament cum training very soon,” he informed.
Speaking about Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), his football youth development initiative in association with Football By Carlos Queiroz (FBCQ), he said the response has been very positive so far. “Schools are doing very well. We have concentrated on the grassroots projects. We have around 600 regular students, mostly from North India. We are planning to take forward our schools to South India,” he said.
A busy player on the field that he was, keeping the opposition defenders on their toes, life has been a busy schedule for him after retirement as well. Managing the club, attending to AIFF duties, overseeing his schools, Bhaichung conceded he has not been able to keep a check on his fitness and training. “I lack fitness right now. I have been travelling a lot these days. I’ve not had the time to go for training. I am just waiting for everything to settle down and work on my fitness,” he said.
The India national team, which climbed to the 146th spot in the latest FIFA ranking, is scheduled to take part in the SAFF championship in November. The former captain is certain that India — six-time champions — can maintain their dominance. “We have always performed well in the SAFF championship and I expect the team to do no less this year,” he said.
