Defending champions held to a draw in season opener
NAMCHI, (IPR): The much-awaited Sikkim Premier League 2025 officially kicked
off with a vibrant opening ceremony at Bhaichung Stadium, Namchi today.
Chief
Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay attended the ceremony as the chief guest, and
officially declared the SPL 2025 open.
The
Sikkim Premier League (SPL) is being organized under the aegis of the Sports
and Youth Affairs department, Government of Sikkim. It is promoted by Football
Development Private Limited and supported by the Sikkim Football Association.
This
season, the month-long SPL will feature participation from nine teams, namely:
Sikkim Aakraman FC, Red Panda FC, Sinolchu FC, Thunderbolt North United,
Roaring Leopard FC, Gyalshing United FC, Singling Sporting Club, Sikkim Dragons
FC, and Black Eagles SC. The league also introduced international
representation with professional players hailing from countries including
Brazil, Spain, and several African nations.
During
the ceremony, the Chief Minister officially launched Sikkim Supreme’s latest
product, ‘Soram’—a newly introduced energy drink.
Further,
the Chief Minister handed over tokens of appreciation to Minister of Education
and Sports and Youth Affairs departments Raju Basnet, Minister of Commerce and
Industries department TT Bhutia, secretary Sports and Youth Affairs department Yangchen
D Tamang, SFA working president Chung Chung Bhutia, MD Sikkim Supreme Chanda
Rani Rai, P Ravichandran and KR Shankar from Sikkim Dear Lotteries for their
valuable contributions and support towards sports.
The
pre-game event included a series of cultural performances and musical
extravaganzas, showcased by local artists.
The
opening match of the season witnessed the defending champions, Singling
Sporting Club, competing against Thunderbolt North United. The match concluded
in a 1–1 draw.
John
Kennedy of Singling Sporting Club was adjudged the Man of the Match, while the
Emerging Player award was given to Lakpa Norbu Sherpa of Thunderbolt North
United.
Present
amongst others during the ceremony were MN Sherpa Speaker SLA, Raj Kumari Thapa
Deputy Speaker SLA, cabinet ministers, MLAs, advisors, chairpersons, DC Namchi,
Sr SP Namchi, Board of Directors of Sikkim Football Development Private Limited
other dignitaries, alongwith proprietors of franchise teams, students, and a large
numberof spectators.
