GANGTOK,: State Sports Academy, considered as the football talent factory of Sikkim, is set for a comeback after a five-year shutdown.
Based at Paljor Stadium here, the State-run football academy had been on the sidelines since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world in 2020. Though normalcy returned after two years of Covid, the stadium was approved to temporarily operate as the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence for three sports disciplines.
With the Khelo India centre now shifting to its permanent campus at Khel Gaon, Reshithang near Gangtok, the stage is set for the revival of the famed State Sports Academy (SSA) under the State Sports department.
The SSA has a proud legacy of identifying and nurturing several football stars from Sikkim, including Indian internationals like Nirmal Chettri, Sanju Pradhan, and Bikash Jairu, as well as elite players such as Robin Gurung, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Ashis Rai and Phurba Lachenpa. These players have all been homegrown talent, trained at the academy’s facilities, and are a testament to its successful youth development program.
Following the government’s approval to resume the SSA, selection trails have commenced to identify the next generation of Sikkimese footballers as the academy starts from the 2025 academic session, informed the Sports authorities to SIKKIM EXPRESS.
A rigorous scouting process is underway, with plans to select 30 of the best young footballers from the U-16 age group to join the academy.
Sports deputy director Navin Lama and joint director Jigme Y Lepcha informed that the selection trial for Geyzing district was held at Kyongsa ground on November 9 and 10 where about 162 kids took part. From them, 17 players have been selected for the final State-level trial to be held at Paljor Stadium on December 22-23.
Similar district-level selection trials would be held at Pakyong (Nov 16-17), Mangan (Nov 22-23), Soreng (Dec 14-15), Namchi (Dec 16-17), and Gangtok (Dec 19-20). Ten to twenty talents would be selected from each district for the final State-level trial to be held at Paljor Stadium.
The candidates must be born between 01.01.2009 and 31.12.2010 and their parents should have Sikkim Subject Certificate or Certificate of Identification.
“For the final State-level selection trial, we have formed a committee consisting of ex-footballers from the academy who have played in top clubs. They will take the responsibility of selecting the final 30 players for the academy,” said the Sports deputy director.
The Sports joint director informed that once selected, the players will stay in the academy hostel in Paljor Stadium and get enrolled in nearby schools. The SSA talents would be training daily under the Sports department football coaches.
In its heyday, the SSA was a competitive force in the State A Division Football League, the Independence Day Cup, and local tournaments besides also featuring in the prestigious Governor’s Gold Cup. Many Sikkimese players who have gone on to play in I-League and Indian Super League (ISL) clubs are alumni of the SSA.
However, after a prolonged period of inactivity, the academy faces the challenge of regaining its former prominence. Sports officials remain optimistic, with the Sports department’s leadership, coaches, and administrative staff committed to providing top-tier training and development to the new crop of players.
Asked about this, the Sports officials Navin Lama and Jigmee Y Lepcha said: “The Sports department, its coaches, administrative team and technical staffs will work together to ensure that the academy kids receive the best training and development. Our target is to bring the academy to its highest level.”
Ex-players welcome revival of State Sports Academy
The reopening of State Sports Academy has been warmly welcomed by its former students.
“We thank the State government and the Sports department for reopening the academy. This is a huge opportunity for our football talents who can further grow by training in this academy. We have started our career from this academy,” said former Indian international Bikash Jairu.
Jairu is a product of the State Sports Academy. He urged the young football talents to take part in the selection trials happening at the districts.
Similarly, former footballer Nim Tshering Lepcha expressed his happiness at the academy’s revival. He was in the first batch of the SSA.
“The State Sports Academy is crucial for the development of young football talents of Sikkim. Those from Sikkim who are playing or played in ISL, I-League or the Indian national team are from this academy. We are very happy to hear that the academy is reopening,” said Nim Tshering.
He pointed out that at present, the ratio of Sikkimese players in top leagues of the country is marginal. Through this academy, we want to see our talents from Sikkim playing in ISL and I-League and for the national team in the coming five years, he said.