Football Development Pvt. Ltd., a company founded by several former Sikkim national football players, has announced the creation of an eight-team Sikkim Premier League, intending to revolutionize the sport in the state.
The Government of Sikkim and Teesta Urja Ltd. are supporting the competition, which is set to start in mid-January 2023. Throughout three and a half months, 59 games will be contested in the league on weekends at Paljor Stadium and Bhaichung Stadium.
The new league, according to the promoters, will guarantee players their profits before the season even begins and award a total prize money of Rs. 10 lakh.
The Sikkim Premier League’s organizers stated that their goal was to provide chances for the amusement of the masses while also offering abundant opportunities for the youth to rejuvenate the football and club cultures in Sikkim.
The careers of Sikkimese football players have been in jeopardy over the past few years due to the lack of tournaments in Sikkim. Nirmal Chettri, Sanju Pradhan, Bikash Jairu, Robin Gurung, and Nim Tshering Lepcha, members of the FDPL board, expressed their sadness at the lack of progress in football in this area and their knowledge of its advantages. “Our youngsters deserve a platform like the SPL,” they added.
The participating teams are allowed to select three players each from the draft of the 30 best players.
In the future, the organizers also hope to host a women’s league, a kid’s tournament, and a North East regional knockout champion’s league.
The teams competing are:
- Aakraman FC (Gangtok)
- Brothers FC (Geyzing)
- Pakyong District FC
- Red Panda FC (Namchi)
- Sikkim Dragons (Gangtok)
- Singling FC (Namchi)
- Sinolchu FC (Namchi)
- Vajra North United (Mangan)
