Tuesday, October 25, 2011

33rd Governor’s Gold Cup to be held in mid-March next year

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Sikkim Football Association [SFA] has decided to organize the 33rd edition of All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament, which would have played normally in October 2011, in mid-March next year.
Earlier, the Governor’s Gold Cup was scheduled to be held from 09 to 20 October but in the wake of the 18 September earthquake, the SFA postponed the tournament. This was decided at an SFA meeting held on 18 October.
Speaking to NOW! the SFA general secretary, Menla Ethenpa, today pointed out that the SFA has been conducting the tournament uninterrupted every year, so this year round too the SFA wants to continue the same. Technically, the hosting of the tournament in March next year will get recorded as being held in the same calendar year. The Governor’s Gold Cup, it may be mentioned here, is the only tournament to have had an uninterrupted run for this many years.
He mentioned that SFA was prepared and had made all arrangements for the tournament, but postponed the tournament owing to the earthquake.
He further stated that the SFA can conduct the Governor’s Gold Cup either in the months of November this year or in March next year as the winter cold of December, January and February is not suitable for football, as many clubs from warmer regions will not be able to participate.
“After a long deliberation and discussion and considering all the issues, the SFA has decided to conduct the 33rd edition of the Governor’s Gold Cup in the mid of March next year,” Mr Ethenpa confirmed.
He also stated that in November all schools will be holding examinations and all first division clubs were currently playing the I-League which started on 22 October, and will hence not be able to join the tournament.
He mentioned that it was reported that the Paljor Stadium complex also sustained damage in the earthquake, so the SFA has written to the Sports & Youth Affairs Department requesting to use the ground with clear cut directives following the necessary safety measures in the stadium.

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