NIRMAL CHHETRI (Football)
At the age of 10 Nirmal began his footballing journey in the Namchi
Sports Hostel. He was quickly recognized as a talented youngster in the
‘ Search for More Bhaichung's’ campaignAfter participating in may cup
competitions for the hostel, Chettri joined Sports . Academy of Sikkim
and played in the Mini SAARC. He also played for his state in 2006-07
Santosh Trophy, and showed some marquee performances. In 2007
Chettri was signed by Air India and played for them in the I-League for a
year. Chettri was also part of India’s U-17 team in 2005 and U-23 team
in 2009-2013.
TARUNDEEP RAI (Archery)
Indian recurve archer Tarundeep Rai was born on February 22, 1984, in
Namchi – a scenic high-altitude settlement of South Sikkim. Tarundeep
Rai made his international debut aged 19 at the 2003 Asian archery
championships in Myanmar. In the same year, he was part of the Indian
archery team that finished fourth at the world championships in New
York. The Indian archer won his maiden gold medal at the 2004 Asian
Grand Prix Bangkok. Having made the cut for the 2004 Athens
Olympics, Tarundeep Rai finished 43rd overall in the men’s individual
recurve event. He made it through the ranking round but was knocked
out Tarundeep Rai was also part of the men’s team, which finished 11th
at Athens. After that, Rai won an individual silver medal in archery for
India at the 16th Asian Games, 2010 in China. Since then, he has won
multiple medals for the Indian team in numerous games like the Asian
Games in Doha, London Olympics, South Asian games, etc.
For all his achievements, Tarundeep was presented with the Arjuna
Award in 2005, and in 2020, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind.
Bhaichung Bhutia (Football)
Bhaichung Bhutia is an Indian footballer and a famous personality
closely associated with India’s sports fraternity, especially football. He
was born on 15th December 1976 in Tinkitam, Sikkim.
He is also called the “Sikkimese Sniper” for his shooting skills and has
played as a striker all of his football career. He is known for his pinpoint
accuracy in striking a goal and the powerful shots he delivered
throughout his career.
Bhutia was the captain of the national team and currently is acting
manager for the state football club of Sikkim. His professional club debut
was in 1993, when he played for Calcutta-based East Bengal and was
the highest scorer in the league.
Bhutia was named as 1996 player of the year after that. Following his
success in the club games, Bhutia became the first Indian footballer to
sign a contract with a European club and English team, ‘Bury’, and the
second in Europe to play professionally. In addition, the player has had
many scholarships to his credit, a stadium named after him as a tribute
to his uncountable success.
Komal Thatal (Football)
Komal Thatal is an Indian professional footballer who plays for
Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League. Thatal has represented
India in the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017. Born in Sikkim, Thatal began
playing competitive football in 2011 when he joined the Namchi Sports
Academy of his native state. He spent three years at the academy
before being advised by his coach to attend trials for the AIFF Elite
Academy and India U17 side which would play in the 2017 FIFA U-17
World Cup. After impressing the coaches, Thatal joined the academy
and team. After passing the trials in 2014, Thatal joined the India U17
side which was to play in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. On 21
September 2017, Thatal was announced as part of the final 21-man
squad for the U-17 World Cup. Thatal played in India's first match in the
World Cup against the United States but was not included in the squad
for India's final two matches in the tournament.
He has also played for the India U-23 and U-20 teams respectively. He
represented India in the Asian Cup U23 Qualifiers. On 20 August 2021,
it was announced that Thatal has signed a 3-year contract with
Jamshedpur FC.
Lee Yong Lepcha (Cricket)
Lee Yong Lepcha is an Indian cricketer. He made his List A debut for
Sikkim in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 20 September 2018. He
was the leading run-scorer for Sikkim in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare
Trophy, with 214 runs in eight matches. He made his first-class debut for
Sikkim in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy on 1 November 2018. He made his
Twenty20 debut for Sikkim in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on
21 February 2019.
Lako Phuti Bhutia (Women Football)
Lako Phuti Bhutia is an Indian women footballer who currently plays for
Gokulam Kerala FC and the India women's national football team. Bhutia
who hails from Sribadam, a remote place in West Sikkim is a product of
the Mangalbari Women’s Football Academy. The defender horned her
skills under coach Palden Bhutia.
She also played for Maldivian club New Radiant S.C. in 2014. Then she
joined Gokulam Kerala FC for 2017–18 Indian Women's League season.
In 2012, she was called up to the Under-19 National Team for the 2013
AFC U-19 Women's Championship qualification in Malaysia. She
became the 4th Girl from the state to represent the National Team after
Pushpa Chetri, Anuradha Chetri and Nima Lhamu Bhutia. She attended
a one-month coaching camp at Gandhinagar, Gujarat with the U-19
squad before leaving for Malaysia.
She along with her sister Nima Lhamu Bhutia was selected for the
Senior Women's National Football Coaching Cam. This Camp was held
for the selection of the Senior National Team for the Asian Cup
Qualifying Round. Her sister could not attend the camp due to personal
reasons. Lako has represented the National Team 8 times and has 1
goal to her credit.
