United Sikkim FC does another first

I-League Division 2 side United Sikkim FC are less then a year old as a professional outfit, but the club co-owned by the FidelisWorld, Baichung Bhutia and musician Shankar Mahadevan, is already showing the way when it comes to professionalism in Indian football.

USFC has become the first football club in India to follow the 'Standard Players Contract' that has been suggested by the Football Players Association of India to the All India Football Federation and the professional football clubs in India. At USFC all 30 contracted players have signed the same standard contract which covers FIFPro suggestions and also covers the FIFA Minimum Contract Requirements while taking Indian Law into consideration.

The 'Standard Players Contract' covers vital aspects of players from use of image rights, sharing group image rights with the clubs shirt sponsor EMTA, to contractual guarantees incase of injury. At the same time it guarantees appearances of players and staff for the clubs and sponsors events hence such a contract is beneficial for both, the players along with his club and their sponsors.

Baichung Bhutia said about the contract, "This is just a small start for the bigger steps that we will take to form a very professional club following all international standards. If the players have contract security, it will help them concentrate on the game and play to their full potential without worrying about injuries or other matters. This is beneficial to the club as well."

Meanwhile the FPAI is hoping that the example set by a small, rising club from Sikkim will act as a motivation for the more established clubs in India to follow.