Northeast Desk, 30th August: In a significant move, the Sikkim Football Association (SFA) has announced the rebranding of its upcoming football championship as the SFA “A” Division League. The decision, made during an executive committee meeting at Football House in Gangtok, comes amid a brewing dispute between the SFA and the state government over the rights to organize the prestigious Sikkim Premier League (SPL).
The controversy began when the SFA revealed plans to host the 2024-25 SPL at Paljor Stadium from August 31 to October 10, featuring eight premier division clubs. This announcement was met with criticism from Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who asserted that the SPL is already being professionally managed by Football Development (P) Ltd., a company dedicated to promoting football in the state.
“Through digital media, I learned that the Sikkim Football Association is conducting a separate Sikkim Premier League. As everyone knows, the SPL is already being managed with the primary goal of promoting football in our state,” Tamang remarked.
The renaming of the SFA’s championship to the “A” Division League is seen as a strategic response to the ongoing dispute, as the association seeks to navigate the challenges posed by the state government’s involvement in football governance. As the rebranded league prepares to kick off on August 31, all eyes will be on how this conflict unfolds and its implications for the future of football in Sikkim.
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