Bhaichung Bhutia Shuts Down United Sikkim FC after 15 Glorious Years

Gangtok, September 23, 2019:

United Sikkim Football Club, the first club from the Northeast to feature in the I-League, has been shut down fifteen years since it's inception.

This was announced by the founders of the club, Bhaichung Bhutia, Arjun Rai, and Sherap Lepcha, during a press conference at Football House here.

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Bhaichung Bhutia, a former Skipper of the Indian Football team, said that the decision is very "painful", but was taken after considering several aspects.

Firstly, he said it was because the founders of the club want now to focus more on grassroots football by organizing coaching camps and tournaments at the grassroots level. Secondly, he said that there has been huge conflict of interests since two of the founders are now a part of Sikkim Football Association.

The club was founded in 2004 and briefly turned professional in the year 2011.

In its glorious 15 years of existence, the United Sikkim FC has lifted the Sikkim Premier Division League four times and won the Independence Cup twice, along with winning the ONGC Cup and LD Kazi Cup.

It is the only club from Sikkim to participate in IFA Shield and Durand Cup and winner of second division I-League

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