I am not a football fanatic, but I cannot deny the fact that when such a significant event is being held in my own state, I can't ignore what's happening. It has been a long time since I last watched a football match at Palzor Stadium in Gangtok—perhaps more than ten years. I still remember the last state tournament I attended, which was way back in 1997 when our very own Bhaichung Bhutia played his first tournament in his home state after a successful season with East Bengal. I vividly recall his incredible bicycle kick in one of the matches during the Santosh Trophy while representing Bengal, which helped make Bhaichung the star he is today. The crowds naturally flocked to the stadium when he played in Gangtok during an event like the Governor's Gold Cup. I was there with my younger brother, just to watch Bhaichung. Ironically, Bhaichung was a year junior to me during our schooling days.
When I was preparing for my class twelve examination at Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School, Bhaichung was in class eleven at Tashi Namgyal Academy. Since the two schools were arch-rivals, I had watched many close matches—more like battles. The TNA team was superior on most occasions, with players like Bhaichung, Sherab, and the twin brothers, Ram and Lakshman. I believe Ram was the best among them, but destiny had other plans. A sharp-eyed Bikash Panji (the star Indian center forward at the time) spotted Bhaichung's talent, and he was taken to Calcutta to represent East Bengal. The rest is history.
Regarding my experience at the Governor's Gold Cup, I checked my diary and found that the date was October 31st, 1997 (Friday). It was the semi-final of the 19th Governor's Gold Cup. East Bengal was playing against Eastern Railways. In my diary, I wrote: “It was only for Bhaichung Bhutia that I had gone. I had heard so much about him; he had become a household name among soccer fans across India. East Bengal won by a solitary own goal, but Bhaichung's performance didn’t particularly impress me. However, I must praise Somatai Saiza, also called ‘SO-SO,’ for his effort. He impressed me at first sight.”
Two days later, I returned to Gangtok to watch the finals, but unexpectedly, East Bengal lost to Nepal 2-1, with Bhaichung Bhutia scoring the only goal for his team and saving his grace. Since then, I haven’t revisited the Governor's Gold Cup. This time, I want to be in Gangtok, to feel that soccer fever again, and take photographs for my blog. Tomorrow is the final between Nepal and the Indian Army. I’m crossing my fingers—I’m supporting the Nepal side because their junior team is making a name for themselves.
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