Fed Cup: United Sikkim FC start their journey

United Sikkim FC will play their first-ever game in the Federation Cup tomorrow in Kolkata against former I-league side ONGC in the Group B qualifiers. For the Baichung Bhutia co-owned club it is an important tournament as the club management will be able to see where the team stands at the beginning of the season and surely the big prize for the young club would be to qualify for the quarterfinal group stage where Mohun Bagan AC, Churchill Brothers SC and Shillong Lajong FC would be waiting.

Talking about pre-season coach Stanley Rozario said, "We had a great pre-season training at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok. A three week pre-conditioning training of modalities like endurance, speed, strength, flexibility and reaction and then later on we did technique, tactics and strategies. After conditioning we played some friendly matches with local teams of Sikkim, then a residential camp outside Sikkim. Its been been a total successful pre-season."

The team has been active in the transfer period and has brought in some I-League regulars like Govin Singh, Ayeni Bidemi Daniel, Sushil Kumar Singh, etc; to push for promotion from the 2nd Division. But in the Fed Cup qualifiers the team will have to do without captain Nim Tshering Lepcha due to a sprain on his knee and ligament, while Renedy Singh is still not fully fit and will be used accordingly.

On his availability Baichung Bhutia said, "I am not sure since the injury is still troubling me. However, I could be on the bench and play if I get better but not for a full match."

With Nim's injury Namibian Quinton Norman Jacobs takes over as captain. His aims for the tournament are clear, "Now we are prepared for the Fed Cup qualifying round. I think we have a very good chance of winning the Federation Cup, then we have better squad this year."

That shows confidence which has come by playing friendly matches against East Bengal Club, Tata Football Academy and Mohun Bagan AC. The team is ready, but now the results will have to prove the same.

Overall United Sikkim FC has been getting huge response and support, and that not just from Sikkim but from across the country and even abroad. The interest has been huge due to the Baichung factor many say, but overall the owners and management have tried to run the club as professionally as possible which is being appreciated all around.

Pema L. Shangderpa, the public relations and media manager, took this opportunity to say, "We want to thank all supporters and fans who have been keeping close contact with us through mails, phone calls and various social networking sites! The moral and confidence of the team is very high."