National level women football championships from this August.

Gangtok, 05 May: Sikkim, the home State of Indian football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia is gearing up to organize and host the first ever national level women football championships this August.

We are organizing the All India Women Football Tournament in the month of August, said Menla Ethenpa, general secretary of Sikkim Football Association (SFA), the organizers.

SFA will be inviting the top four women football team graded by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to participate in this maiden tournament, said Mr. Ethenpa. At least two teams from Sikkim and other teams from the neighbouring areas of Darjeeling district will be featuring in the tournament.

“Bhutan has also expressed its interest to participate in the tournament”, said Mr. Ethenpa.

Though AIFF has been organized national level women football championships, the endeavor by SFA should be first in the nation.

By inviting the top women football teams in the tournament, we want to inspire and promote the upcoming women footballers of Sikkim, said the SFA general secretary adding the tournament will be an annual event.

The finals of the tournament are scheduled on August 15.

The proposed All India Women Football Tournament by SFA has taken the football calendar in Sikkim to three events.

The first event, Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal Memorial Cup organized by SFA began from today at Paljor Stadium.

In the first match, Namchi based Siniolchu club defeated Young Star football club by 2 goals to one.

There are 16 teams participating in this knockout men’s football tournament, which is an annual feature. Apart from six teams from Sikkim, teams from Kolkata, Delhi and neighbouring Darjeeling district also feature in this event.

The Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal Memorial Cup also known as Independence Cup used to be held during the month of August. It was shifted to May to make room for the proposed All India Women Football Tournament to be held on August.

After these two events, the showpiece football tournament of Sikkim, All India Governor’s Gold Cup is scheduled to be held during the month of September-October later this year.