SIKKIM: German soccer tips for two


FROM THE TELEGRAPH



Gangtok, July 20: Two Gangtok boys flew to Germany today to hone their soccer skills at a 25-day-long camp organised by European football powerhouse Bayern Munich.

Ram Chettri and Suman Rai — both aged 14 — are from economically backward families and members of Boys Club Gangtok, a football academy run by former Sikkim players.

The two were among the six teenaged footballers in the country selected by Bayern Munich during trials held in Calcutta in November last year. Two children each from Shillong and Calcutta were also picked up for the training camp.

“Ram and Suman left Calcutta today to attend the camp. The training was supposed to have been conducted in January earlier this year but was postponed to July. The session will greatly benefit our boys, as they will receive better and modern training. Their morale will be lifted and the name of Sikkim will also be highlighted,” said Basant Gurung, one of the organisers of Boys Club.

The duo are among the 40 children imparted training by Boys Club at Tathangchen ground here everyday.
The children practise under the watchful eyes of the former Sikkim soccer players. The club gives the training free of cost.

Ram is fatherless and his mother does odd jobs to take care of the family. Suman’s father is a mason.

Gurung said the Boys Club trainees were well liked by the Bayern Munich coaches during the Calcutta trials.

“They were well liked by the coaches and who knows, our boys could be kept by the Bayern Munich for further training,” he said.

“We are into the third year of our academy. The selection of the two boys by Bayern Munich is a great achievement in such a short span of time and will motivate us in coming years. Our club has received exposure because of the selection of our boys and we hope our club will shine in future,” said the organiser.