By Sandeep Kr. Rai

January 16: Come January 22, and Sikkim will play host to its own soccer sensation Bhaichung Bhutia and boys play versus world soccer giants including Dutch footballers Rudd Gullit, Regi Blinker, Cine Star Rahul Bose, former Indian captain IM Vijayan and the famous Cheema Okorie at the Paljor Stadium here in the capital.

Even as Pele’s participation in the first of its kind exhibition football match against Bhaichung Bhutia co-owned United Sikkim Football Club is unconfirmed, Superstars XI will have Jo Paul Ancheri, Alvito D’Cunha (India), Ali Daei (Iran) Angsar Brinkmann (Germany) Christian Karenbeau (French), Carlos Valderrama (Columbia), Rudd Gullit (Holland), Regi Blinker (Holland), Tim Trenker (world motorbike champ), Roland Kopp (Germany), Marcel Oerlemans (Holland), Rahul Bose (Filmstar), Jo Paul Ancheri (India) and Alvito D’Cunha (India) in the Super Soccer event.

In a formal announcement former Indian football Captain Bhaichung Bhutia today said that the match earlier slated to be played at Kolkata would be played in Sikkim due to some technical reasons there. ‘It is a great opportunity for me and football fans in Sikkim to play against legendary footballers and we hope this inspires upcoming soccer talents of Sikkim, North Bengal and the entire Northeast region’ Bhutia told reporters during a press meet at Paljor Stadium.

According to the organizers, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sold for the glitterati filled match is likely to be given to the September 18 earthquakes victims of Sikkim.

The State government has also extended its support to the match. ‘It is an attempt on our part to showcase Sikkim’s resilience in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and to maintain its tourism prospects’ State Sports and Youths Affairs Minister NK Pradhan who was present during the conference said. He was accompanied by Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal, Sports Secretary KP Bhutia, USFC managers and other state government officials.

Briefing on the match format, Sunil Hamal, CEO of the UK based event management firm JPR Events informed that the match which was earlier scheduled to be played in Kolkata on January 23 is now being organized by JPR Events in collaboration with the Sikkim Sports and Youth Affairs Department. Hamal further added that Bollywood Actor Rahul Bose would also take part in the star studded match where German Rock Band ‘Scorpions’ bass guitarist Rudolf Schenker and World Motorbike Champion Tim Trenker are likely to be a part of the extravaganza. ‘We are expecting more Cine stars for the big day’ added Bhaichung.

Sale of tickets priced in three categories – Rs.2,000, Rs.1,500 and Rs. 500 would be sold between Monday to January 20. With 15 to 20 thousands spectators expected in the match, organizers are also selling tickets online at – www.zomato.com. It is said that the organizers are also contemplating to organize an auction dinner as part of the fund raising drive.