Sikkim Premier League to kick start from Jan 30

By Prakash Adhikari

Sikkim is all set to host Sikkim Premier League from 30 January 2023. The state is organising the sporting event for the first time.

The Premier League is being organised by Football Development Private Limited. The
league will continue for two months.

Eight teams — one each from Soreng (Singling FC), Pakyong (Pakyong District
FC), Mangan (Vajra North United FC) and Gyalshing (Brothers FC) districts, and
two teams each from Gangtok (Akraman FC and Sikkim Dragons FC) and Namchi
(Sinalchu FC and Red Panda FC) districts will participate in the SPL.

The Paljor Stadium in Gangtok and Bhaichung Bhutia Stadium
in Namchi will be the two SPL venues. The first match will be played between
Aakraman Football Club and Sikkim Dragons Football Club at Paljor Stadium. The
match will start at 3PM.

The SPL is being started in a bid to improve the overall standard of
football in the state with the motto “Together for Sikkim football”. The
government of Sikkim will be the principal sponsor of the first edition of the
league and Teesta Urja Limited its co-sponsor.

“The winner will be awarded Rs 10 lakh. The runner-up Rs 5 lakh and the two
semi-finalists will be given Rs 2.5 lakh each,” said Sanju Pradhan, a former India
player and a board member had said earlier. Sanju said apart from the SPL,
plans are also afoot to start a similar league for women with six teams.