Football Players Association of Sikkim (FPAS) has appealed all sports persons and football lovers in the State and outside to be part of Football Players Association of India (FPAI) Indian Football Awards 2019.
It will be held here at Paljor Stadium on Sunday.
FPAS has been working on war-footing basis to host this grand sporting event for the first time in Sikkim.
The main highlight of the day would be an exhibition match between FPAI XI and Sikkim Stars.
This would be a rare opportunity for football lovers and people of Sikkim to see the game of Indian international footballers and leading professional footballers of the country and Sikkim at Paljor Stadium.
Indian Football Awards 2019 in different categories will be handed over to its winner during the half-time of the match. The awards will be presented in categories of the Best Indian Player of the Year, Indian Emerging Player of the Year, Fans’ Player of the Year Best Coach of the Year and Best Foreign Player of the Year.
Addressing a press conference in Gangtok on Thursday, FPAI president Nirmal Chettri mentioned that FPAI XI will have Indian football team skipper, Sunil Chettri along with Deepak Mandal, Md Nawaz, Anwar Ali, Nagen Tamang, Nadong Bhutia and others Indian professional footballers.
Likewise, Sikkim XI will have professional footballers from Sikkim playing in different ISL and I-League clubs and local clubs of Sikkim.
He mentioned that former Indian team skipper Bhaichung Bhutia has also gave his confirmation to play in the exhibition match but has not decided his team yet.
FPAS vice-president, Bikash Jairu stated that the preparation for the event was in the verge of its completion and 95 per cent of works have already been completed to host the event in a grand manner.
He mentioned that the event will also have felicitation of former footballers and individuals of the State for their immense contributions to take football to this level.
Likewise, FPAS general secretary, Nim Tshering Lepcha stated that FPAS has been providing green donor cards to former footballers of the State and a separate section in the stadium has been booked just for them.
He stated that except for few galleries in the stadium reserved for guests, the entry was free for all for the event.
He appealed football lovers and people of Sikkim to be the part of the historical event.
He urged footballers and other athletes and people to come together to witness the event.