The Sikkim Inter-Constituency Football Tournament 2019 was kicked off at three different venues in the State on Monday. The tournament is being organized by state Sports & Youth Affairs department under rural sports.
The preliminary matches of this knock-out tournament have started on Monday at Paljor Stadium for constituencies in East and North Districts.
At Singhithang playground of Sangha in Namchi is hosting the matches for constituencies in South District and Dentam Public Ground for constituencies in West District.
All matches from quarter-final round will be played at Jorethang ground in South Sikkim.
The final match is scheduled to be played on January 15 next.
The tournament carries the cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs for the winner and Rs 2 lakhs for runners-up team.
Secretary to Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Kuber Bhandari mentioned that the main objective of the tournament was to promote sports culture in all corners of the State and to engage youths in productive activities through sports and games.
He further stated that the tournament was also a talent hunt to provide exposure to talented footballers in the different corners of the State.
He mentioned that the tournament has been conducted under the guidance and direction of the chief minister and sports minister.
The inaugural match at Paljor Stadium was played between Gangtok and West Pendam, in which Gangtok won 3-1.
In the second match, Khamdong-Singtam defeated Sangha 5-1 and Lachen-Mangan outplayed Gnathang-Machong by a lone goal in the third match.
In the last match of the day, Chujachen defeated Dzongu 3-1.
At Dentam public ground, Rinchenpong edged past Zoom-Salghari 3-2, while Daramdin defeated Gyalshing-Bermiok 5-3 in another match.
At Singhithang ground, Barfung defeated Temi-Namphing 3-1 in the first match, while in the second match, Melli outplayed Tumin-Lingee 7-3.