Latest news with #BhaichungBhutia
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Our goal is for a champion to emerge from every village and town in Sikkim": PM Narendra Modi
Bagdogra (West Bengal) [India], May 29 (ANI): PM Narendra Modi while congratulating the people of the state on 50 years of Statehood of Sikkim on Thursday, highlighted the goal of discovering champions from every village and town in Sikkim, emphasizing the role of the sports complex in Gangtok as a birthplace of champions will be born, driven by the will to win. Addressing the 'Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth' programme from Bagdogra in West Bengal through videoconference, PM Modi said, 'Our goal is for a champion to emerge from every village and town in Sikkim... The new sports complex in Gangtok will become the birthplace of champions.' PM Modi envisions India becoming a sports superpower, with Sikkim and the Northeast youth playing a significant role. He acknowledged Sikkim's contribution to sports and praised Bhaichung Bhutia, Olympian Tarundeep Rai, and Jaslal Pradhan. 'India will soon become a sports superpower. Sikkim and the North East youth will play a huge role in fulfilling this dream. Sikkim gave us football legends like Bhaichung Bhutia, Olympians like Tarundeep Rai, and players like Jaslal Pradhan, who made the country proud.' 'Sikkim has received special priority under Khelo India. I have full faith that the energy and passion of Sikkim's youth will make India reach the Olympic podium,' he added. PM Modi virtually laid the foundation and inaugurated multiple development projects in Sikkim, including a new 500-bedded District hospital worth over Rs 750 crore in Namchi district, a Passenger Ropeway at Sangachoeling, Pelling in Gyalshing District, and the statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan at Sangkhola in Gangtok District. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Prime Minister will also visit West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh on May 29 and 30, inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of development projects worth more than Rs 70,000 crore. PM Modi will also be visiting West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. During his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate, dedicate, and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 70,000 crore. (ANI)
India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Jaganmohan Reddy attacks TDP, says Chandrababu Naidu behind 'real liquor scam'
31:17 Speaking at India Today's State of the States: Sikkim at 50, Bhaichung Bhutia pointed out that India's FIFA ranking has dropped from 96 in 2017 to 127 in 2024 — a sharp decline that has occurred during Kalyan Chaubey's tenure as AIFF President. The regression reflects deeper structural issues that continue to plague Indian football.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Jyoti Malhotra knowingly spoke to ISI officials during Op Sindoor: Sources
31:17 Speaking at India Today's State of the States: Sikkim at 50, Bhaichung Bhutia pointed out that India's FIFA ranking has dropped from 96 in 2017 to 127 in 2024 — a sharp decline that has occurred during Kalyan Chaubey's tenure as AIFF President. The regression reflects deeper structural issues that continue to plague Indian football.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Rare video shows baby Great Hornbill preparing for first flight in Kerala
31:17 Speaking at India Today's State of the States: Sikkim at 50, Bhaichung Bhutia pointed out that India's FIFA ranking has dropped from 96 in 2017 to 127 in 2024 — a sharp decline that has occurred during Kalyan Chaubey's tenure as AIFF President. The regression reflects deeper structural issues that continue to plague Indian football.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Indian women have better chance of playing FIFA World Cup than men: Bhaichung Bhutia
Former India captain and football legend Bhaichung Bhutia believes that the women's national team can play in the FIFA World Cup before the men's side. The Indian men's team has been dreaming about making it to the grandest stage in international football for quite some time but have failed to make it through. Speaking at India Today's State of the States: Sikkim at 50, Bhutia was asked if the men's team can make it. The former India captain said that it is definitely possible and FIFA increasing the number of participating teams for the tournament is an advantage. advertisementHowever, Bhutia believes that the level of competition in Asia makes it tough for India to crack down one of the four allocated spots at the moment. However, the legendary footballer feels that with the right generation of players and with a strong grassroots program, it can become a reality. "I think in life, if North Korea could play in a FIFA World Cup, I'm sure India can. And the good thing is—actually, the very good thing is—FIFA has increased the number of participating teams from, I think, 32 to maybe 48.""The difficult part for India is that Asia has over 60 countries, but we only get four spots to qualify for the World Cup. And those four spots are usually taken by Japan, Korea, and Australia—who, by the way, play in the Asian qualifiers. So Australia takes one, and the remaining spot usually goes to either Iran or Saudi Arabia."advertisement"So, it becomes nearly impossible for a country like India—or even China. China has been trying to qualify for the World Cup and still hasn't made it." "So, the level of competition is much more challenging. But yes, I believe we need the right generation of players—maybe seven or eight—born around the same time. We also need our grassroots football program to be very strong, where kids are playing every day, every week, and competing regularly.""We also need a strong education program for coaches," said Bhutia. Will the women's team make it to World Cup before men's side?Bhutia was asked if the women's team have a better chance of making it to the global tournament than the men's side and explained the reason behind it. The former India captain said that in the women's level, the major gulf countries aren't present, which gives India an advantage. However, Bhutia said that the absence of residential academies is hurting women's football to grow to its full potential. "Yes—much better. Absolutely. I'll tell you why. Maybe the ladies can show us the way. Again, just like in the men's format, the number of participating teams in women's football has increased. And when it comes to men's football, Gulf countries dominate. They own major clubs."advertisement"But in Gulf countries, women's football isn't big at all. So that gives countries like India a better opportunity and higher chances of qualifying. About 20 countries probably don't even participate in women's qualifiers. India's women's team is currently ranked much higher than the men's team globally.""But again, it comes down to grassroots investment and infrastructure. We don't have a single elite women's football academy in India. Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools is the only residential football academy for girls right now. There aren't enough girls at that level moving on to play in the Indian Women's League. That's where a lot of federations and academies must step up and invest—at the elite level—in girls' football.""Only then can we raise coaching standards, training quality, and competitive levels. I genuinely believe women's football in India has a much better chance of qualifying for the World Cup than the men's team," said Bhutia. India is 12th in the AFC rankings for women's and 22nd in men's. The major difference in the women's scenario has been the absence of Gulf countries. Trending Reel
