Ukhrul rolls out the red carpet for Bhutia
Two weeks free coaching camp underway
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, December 30 2013:
The icon of Indian football and former captain of the Indian football team Baichung Bhutia spent Christmas and New Year at Ukhrul along with his family in his in laws at Ukhrul town.
During his short stay, a free football coaching camp was organized in collaboration with United Ukhrul Football Club (UUFC) that will continue for more than two weeks.
The players under the age of 9 to 14 are bing given free coaching as well as free play kits.
More than 60 children are taking part in the coaching camp.
Bhutia along with coaches Mahesh Akham former Indian players, Bijen Singh who is now the Indian under 19 Coach and Somatai Shaiza enthusiastically took part in the coaching camp.
During an exclusive one to one with The Sangai Express Baichung Bhutia said that his visit to Ukhrul was to encourage every sport loving youngsters and to impart and explore the talent of the people in area.
Manipur ranks high in most of the sports discipline in India, yet lack of sport facilities have been a hindrance for the players to proceed to the international level, he observed.
Holding more tournaments at the State level or district level under different age group will boost and increase the players' performance and capability.
"We should focus on sport so as to discourage our youngsters from indulging into intoxicants, make them more disciplined and lead a healthy and happy life.
His personal conviction to hold more coaching camp at Ukhrul is driven by the sheer desire to extend all possible help to the interested and talented persons from his end.
Bhutia is married to a half Tangkhul girl Madhuri Tipnis blessed and with three children.
The elders two are twins, a boy and a girl ( Ugen Bhutia and Keisha Bhutia) and the youngest, a girl is named Samara.
After retiring from Indian football team, he founded the United Sikkim Football Club and is also a chairman of All India Football Federation Technical Committee.
Born at Tikitam in Sikkim he began playing football at the age of 8 .
He represented Indian sub Junior at the age of 16 and made it to the senior side at the age of 19 .
In 1999 he was chosen the Indian football team Captain till his retirement in 2011.His cherished dream is to conduct coaching and create more awareness about sports and establishment of best sport academies in India.
Besides he will be contented if his son Ugen Bhutia can follow his foot step in a better way he added.
Appreciating the the hospitality of the people of Ukhrul, Bhutia said he feels at home here.
Moreover the climatic condition of Sikkim and Ukhrul is almost the same.
The United Ukhrul Football Club (UUFC) Manager Somatai Shaiza, also a founder of the club in a brief interaction with The Sangai Express said that they have organized this camp to spot talent, nuture the youngsters so that they can go on to the bigger platform.
Ukhrul district was once known as a sports super power district in Manipur but down the years it has declined.
A friendly match between Ukhrul Veteran Eleven and the group of UUFC along with Bhutia will be staged tomorrow at TNL ground.
The Ukhrul District Sports Association(UDSA) gave a warm reception to Bhutia on December 25 at the UDSA office.
During the programme, the President UDSA Surrender Luikham expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bhutia for taking up such an initiative to and conducting the two weeks free coaching camp.
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