Sikkim Police routed Renzong FC 6-0 on Thursday to take enter the quarterfinal round of 2nd Mahendra Karki Memorial Invitational Football Tournament 2018 at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.
The encounter between Sikkim Police and Renzong FC was the inaugural game of the tournament.
Also read: Mahendra Karki Memorial Invitational Football Tournament in Sikkim from April 19
Seasoned striker Bir Bahadur Pradhan scored a brace while Sukraj Subba, Sangay Choppel Bhutia and Karma Lepcha scored one goal each for Sikkim Police.
An own goal in the final moments of the match completed the emphatic win against Renzong FC.
Rajya Sabha MP Hishey Lachungpa inaugurated the football tournament in presence of students, football lovers, family members and friends of Late Mahendra Karki.
The tournament is organized by Sikkim Boys since 2017 in memory of former Sikkimese footballer Late Mahendra Karki.
A Gangtok resident, Mahendra Karki was killed in a car mishap at Gangtok in 2011 at an age of 31 years.
He was a popular footballer having played as a right side back for many local clubs and also for the state team in regional and national tournaments.
He was also a member of the State football team that reached the quarterfinal round of Santosh Trophy at New Delhi in 2004, the best performance of Sikkim till date.
Members of Sikkim Boys football club, many of whom have played with Late Mahendra Karki at national football tournaments, are hosting the tournament as a tribute to their friend.
In Saturday’s encounter, State Sports Academy is taking on Kumar Sporting that kick starts at 2 pm.
The other teams participating in the football tournament are: SDFA (Namchi), Sikkim Aakraman FC, Gangtok Himalayan SC, Boys Club Gangtok, United Sikkim FC, United Kurseong FC, Apex FC Kalimpong and United Brothers Kalimpong.
The final will take place on April 30 under floodlight at the Paljor Stadium.