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.