Gangtok, Feb. 29: The Sikkim Football Association today announced a 22-member squad that will represent the state in the Dr T Ao Memorial Cup that starts on Friday. The premier tournament for eight northeastern states is being organised by the Sikkim sports department and will be held at Paljor Stadium here from March 2 to 9.
The state team consists of players drawn from United Sikkim FC, Langsning FC Shillong, Sikkim Police, State Sports Academy and Sports Authority of India. Tenzing Tsephel Bhutia is the captain of the team, which is being coached and managed by Suresh Mukhia and Arjun Rai respectively.
Announcing the squad, SFA general secretary Menla Ethanpa said 26 players had been shortlisted for the weeklong selection camp that ended today.
“We have selected 22 best players for the Dr T Ao Memorial Cup. We hope our team will give a good performance and bring honour to Sikkim,” he said.
All the eight states are divided into two groups. Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Assam are in Group A, while defending champion Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya are in Group B.
The players are banking on ground support and weather for a good performance. “We have been playing at Pajlor Stadium since our childhood. The weather conditions also suit us. These factors make a difference when we play against the away sides. We hope for a good show in the tournament. Support from the home crowd will also boost us,” said Thupden Tshering Bhutia.
Dr T Ao Memorial Cup was launched by the ministry of DoNER in 2003 and Sikkim will be hosting the event for the first time. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will clash in the inaugural match on March 2.(Telegraph)
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