9 teams to compete in Sikkim’s
showpiece football tournament
GANGTOK,: The much anticipated Sikkim Premier League (SPL) season 3 is kicking-off on April 10 with the inaugural ceremony and opening match scheduled at Bhaichung Stadium, Namchi.
Defending
champions Singling SC will take on Thunderbolt North United in the opening
match of this showpiece football tournament of Sikkim. Nine franchise clubs are
taking part in the SPL 3 with Black Eagles FC, based in Gangtok, the new
entrant for this season.
The
SPL is conducted by Football Development Pvt Ltd (FDPL) under the aegis of
Sports department, sponsored by Government of Sikkim and Dear Lottery with
Sikkim Football Association (SFA) providing the technical support.
FDPL
board of directors Nirmal Chettri, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Bikash Jairu and Robin
Gurung shared details about SPL season 3 at a press meet here on Saturday.
“The
past two seasons had eight clubs and in this third season, we are thrilled to
announce Black Eagles FC as our latest addition in SPL. The SPL was launched to
promote and develop our local talents and we are confident that more teams
would be joining SPL in coming years,” said Chettri.
Besides
Black Eagles FC, Gangtok district has two other clubs – Sikkim Aakraman FC and
Sikkim Dragons FC. Namchi district has Red Panda FC and Sinolchu FC. The other
districts have one team each – Roaring Leopard FC (Pakyong), Thunderbolt North
United (Mangan), Singling SC (Soreng), and Gyalshing United (Gyalshing).
A
total of 36 matches would be held during the league stage at Bhaichung Stadium
in Namchi and Paljor Stadium in Gangtok followed by two play-off matches and
the grand final. Date for the final is not fixed yet. The league winner on
points will receive a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh. The winner of the SPL final
will receive Rs. 20 lakh as cash prize while the runners-up will receive Rs. 10
lakh.
Each
club can have five foreign players and five outstation (outside Sikkim)
domestic players in the 30-member squad but can field only two foreign players
and two outstation players in the matches. As per the rules, the clubs would
also have to field one u-19 player in every match.
It
was informed that the SPL this season will have a ticketing system for the
spectators at both venues. The FDPL has assured that the ticket prices would be
reasonable. Children below 15 years of age and students with identity cards or
in school uniform are granted free entry provided they have permission from
their schools.
As
the countdown begins for the much-awaited kick-off of SPL Season 3, the
excitement is palpable among players and fans alike in Sikkim. The nine clubs
promise fierce competition and the SPL third season could outshine the previous
two editions in terms of quality and excitement.
