Latey Bhakundo

Indian International Footballer from Sikkim, Sanju Pradhan has completed fifteen years in professional football and through a facebook post on Sunday he remembered his two Academy coaches- Late. Hangu Norden Lepcha and Late. Solomon Lepcha.  "As a little boy these two gentlemen taught me to shoot the ball by holding my legs, not many coaches do that. Yes these two great souls were more than just a coach or mentor. The way they inspired me cannot be put into words.I miss them a lot and whatever success I have got today I owe it to them. The basic training that they gave was so good that it helped me to transition easily into the professional arena and adjust to it very quickly." Wrote Sanju in his facebook post.  He further added "I want to dedicate all these  success which I've got to them. I feel emotional as well because they are not in this world today but I am sure they are always there cheering for me whenever I play. To both of you Sirs I look up and say Thank ...

PRESS RELEASE  Sanju Football Academy, Sombaria have tied up with Ultimate Fitness Gym to be their Fitness Partner. The understanding was reached online due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic and lockdown. "In today's time footballers need to be very fit and to build muscles weight training is important so it's really nice we have got Ultimate Fitness Gym as our Fitness Partner, I am sure our Academy boys will benefit a lot as they have very experienced trainers". Said Sanju Pradhan, mentor of Sanju Football Academy and International footballer. Ultimate Fitness Gym was launched in 2013 and currently has five centres in and around Gangtok and one at Rongli. It also runs an Academy where future trainers are trained. "It's really exciting for us to be the fitness partner of Sanju Football Academy and we are sure this relationship will grow even more strong in future. After this Covid situation improves we will welcome the boys into our Gym and plan a good schedul...

With the nation wide surge of covid-19 cases and the consequent counter active vaccination drive set to start soon for the age group of 18-45 years from 1st May, 2021. It is anticipated that the blood bank might run short of majority of it's blood donors after the vaccination shots. Hence inorder to minimize the possible sparseness and maintain the viable stock in the bank, a voluntary blood donation camp was organised successfully by The Football Club of Melli (FC Melli) in collaboration with The Blood Army of Sikkim on 29th April, 2021 in the football play ground of Melli Bazar, South Sikkim. The programme was conducted with the technical support of the staffs from Blood Bank, Namchi District Hospital, South Sikkim. The camp started off with the welcome speech by Mr. Homnath Sharma, General secretary, FC Melli followed by presentation of Certificate of Appreciations to  notables personalities and organisation  of the society namely  Mr Suren Mohra  (Turuk South Sik...

The present situation which is developing in world football reminded me of "Show me the money" dialogue deliveried by Cuba Gooding Junior in the movie Jerry Mcguire to Tom Cruise. Yes money is important in football, but how much? Till it becomes too much even some of the richest people start crying against it. When a club becomes a global brand and is followed around the World, it gets a bit disconnected with its own city or the region I guess. Liverpool's population might be around lets say 6 lakhs, so even if the whole city supports Liverpool FC which is obviously not possible as there is Everton, here the business part of football makes an entry and sadly emotion and passion takes a back seat. The owners who see the clubs from commercial angle think, Yes we are from Liverpool but we can be a Global Club, moolah is there and the best way to reach people around the world is through television. Yes this has already happened and you can find fanatic supporters of Liverpool...

The new set of jerseys which will be donned by the players of Sanju Football Academy, Sombaria in the upcoming season was launched by Mr M.N. Sherpa, Minister of Power & Labour Department, Government of Sikkim on Saturday. CLC President, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, Mr Tika Hang Subba was also present during the program.  The Jerseys along with rest of kits is designed and manufactured by Ambition Sportswear, a Kolkata based company, which has been producing top quality products since it's inception in 2007.  "I am very happy to see sponsors coming in for Sanju Football Academy and credit goes to Sanju Pradhan who himself is from the remotest part of sikkim and with sheer dedication and determination, he is able to reach the highest level an individual can reach. I also personally thank, Ambition Sportswear for sponsoring the jerseys along with other kits for the Academy". Said Minister Mr MN Sherpa.  Sanju Football Academy was represented at the function by it's Pre...

Gangtok: Indian International footballer from Sikkim, Sanju Pradhan was honored with Apollo Tyres "Go the Distance Heroes Award" on Tuesday.  Through the Go The Distance Heroes campaign, Apollo Tyres aims to profile and gratify personalities who are positively impacting the Indian sporting ecosystem by creating access to sport for the community. Sanju has been chosen this year due to the work he has put in at "Sanju Football Academy." An Academy launched in his name in 2013 with the support of some like minded people from Sombaria, his home village. This Centre has been imparting quality football training to the boys from some remote parts of West Sikkim.  "I am very grateful to Apollo Tyres for choosing me as their Go The Distance Hero and giving me this Award. I dedicate this to all the football lovers of Sikkim as I think this award is not just for me but for my home state of Sikkim as well. It's always nice to be appreciated for the good work you  are d...

We are not aware of a lot of footballers who have done wonders during their playing days but are not much in the limelight after they end their careers. One such player is Avinash Thapa who was born in Kolkata and played most of his football there and at Goa. As a kid, Avinash was inspired by seeing his brother play and quickly fell in love with the beautiful game himself. He grew up to become a midfielder of repute but now is in the shadows. We have tried to shed some light on this former star’s football career. Samar Banerjee “Badru” an ex-Olympian and captain of the national team and a household name during his playing days in Kolkata was Avinash's first coach. Then he trained under Ranju Dutt (Ranju da) and started to play age-group matches. Though Ranju Dutt was not a well-known coach, the young boy learned a lot about how the game is played through him. Avinash quickly proved his mettle and was soon playing in the national tournaments. In 1998-99, he represented Bengal in the...