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GANGTOK, SEPT 30: Football fever is set to grip Gangtok once again as the 42nd All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament gets underway from October 5 to 16, bringing some of the country’s prominent football clubs to Sikkim for one of the region’s most anticipated footballing events.

This year’s tournament, organised by the Sikkim Football Association (SFA), carries an added touch of history.

The tournament will kick off on October 5, the birth anniversary of former Sikkim Chief Minister Late Nar Bahadur Bhandari—a date that has a special connection with the Governor’s Gold Cup itself.

According to SFA President, Menla Ethenpa, an edition of the tournament in the 1980s was inaugurated on 5th October as part of the celebrations marking Bhandari’s birthday. Decades later, and coincidentally, the SFA has got the same date from AIFF to begin this year’s tournament as a tribute to the late chief minister and his contribution to the development and promotion of football in Sikkim.

The opening ceremony will begin at 11:15 am, with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expected to attend.

Before the formal inauguration, the SFA will pay tribute to the late chief minister by lighting a traditional butter lamp in his memory and observing his birth anniversary.



Big Names, Local Challengers

The tournament promises a strong mix of national-level clubs and local talent.

As many as 10 teams, including GTA XI, along with four local teams, will compete in the 42nd edition. The local representatives will include the Sikkim Premier League champions and runners-up, along with the top two teams from the Sikkim A- Division League.

The national and regional line-up features several familiar names, including East Bengal FC, Shillong Lajong FC, NorthEast United, Subendu Delhi FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Banaras (Baghpat) FC, Odisha XI, Garhwal Heroes and Oil Football Team of Assam, besides GTA XI.

For football lovers in Sikkim, the tournament offers another opportunity to see established clubs share the pitch with the state’s emerging football talent.

The opening day will feature two matches, while the remaining days will see one match each. Adding to the atmosphere, a match is scheduled to be played under floodlights on October 10.



Ticket Prices Unchanged

For spectators planning to make their way to the stadium, the SFA has decided not to increase ticket prices.

Ethenpa said ticket rates would remain at last year’s level. Students will also be offered concessional tickets on production of a valid identity card or by attending in proper uniform.



Nepal’s Absence A Setback

One notable absence from this year’s tournament will be teams from Nepal.

Ethenpa said the SFA had not invited a Nepalese team because the FIFA ban on the All Nepal Football Association has not yet been lifted.

Nepalese clubs have traditionally been among the crowd-pullers at the Governor’s Gold Cup, and Ethenpa described their absence as unfortunate for the organisers.

Teams from Bhutan, which had also featured in earlier editions, will not be part of this year’s line-up.



Defending champions miss out

The defending champions, Rajasthan Royals, will also not return to defend their title this year.

According to Ethenpa, the team was unable to complete its player registration in accordance with AIFF norms and subsequently regretted its inability to participate.

With a blend of history, established clubs, local contenders and a packed 12-day schedule, the 42nd Governor’s Gold Cup is set to bring the spotlight back to Gangtok—and once again turn the city into a meeting point for football fans from across Sikkim and beyond.

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