Sikkim Himalayan SC
Full nameSikkim Himalayan Sporting Club[1]
Nickname(s)The Himalayans[2]
Short nameGHSC
SHSC
Founded2012; 12 years ago (2012) (as Sikkim Himalayan SC)[3]
GroundPaljor Stadium[4]
Capacity30,000
OwnerTenzing Lamtha
Head coachPuspa Gurung
LeagueSikkim Premier Division League

Sikkim Himalayan Sporting Club (sometimes known as Gangtok Himalayan SC) is an Indian professional football club based in Gangtok, Sikkim.[5] The club usually participated in the I-League 2nd Division,[6][7] then second tier of Indian football league system, and the Sikkim Premier Division League.[8][9][10]

The club is also a frequent participant of the Sikkim Gold Cup,[11][12] a premier club tournament in the state.[13]

History

Formation and journey

Gangtok Himalayan FC (originally known as Sikkim Himalayan SC)[14][15][16] was founded in 2012 in Gangtok,[17] the capital city of the Indian state Sikkim, and affiliated with Sikkim Football Association (SFA).[18][19][20] Since then, they have been participating in various domestic and amateur tournaments regionally.[21] The club was founded by Tenzing Lamtha.[22] In October 2014, Gangtok Himalayan participated in Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup and reached to the semi-finals, but their journey ended with a 2–1 defeat to ONGC FC.[23][24][25] In September 2015, former India international Arjunan Shanta Kumar was appointed as manager of the club.[26]

In January 2016, they were officially certified by the All India Football Federation to participate in the I-League 2nd Division,[27] the second tier of football in India, after finishing 2nd in the Sikkim Premier Division League. This move began a new chapter for Gangtok-based side as they became one of first professional football clubs from the North East India.[28] 2016 was the most successful season for Gangtok Himalayan, in which they participated in the I-League 2nd Division, Durand Cup,[29] Sikkim Gold Cup and Sikkim Premier Division League. After finishing 2nd in the group A of the 2015–16 I-League 2nd Division,[30] Gangtok Himalayan qualified for the 2015–16 I-League 2nd Division final round. There they finished as 5th and failed to qualify for the I-League.[31]

Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, Sikkim
Gangtok Himalayan players in training at the Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, in 2017.

In 2016 Durand Cup, the Himalayans finished 5th, behind Indian Navy in the group A with 6 points.[32][33] In 2019, they reached to the final of 39th edition of the Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup final defeating Royal FC Siliguri 3–1,[34][35] but lost the title winning match to Mohammedan Sporting by 2–1 margin.[36][37] In that year, Gangtok Himalayan lifted Independence Day Football Tournament trophy defeating Sikkim Aacraman FC via penalty shoot-out.

I-League fate

The All India Football Federation were all set to invite bids for vacant spots in the I-League and Gangtok-based Sikkim Himalayan was one of the front-runners to join, but it was not materialized.[38]

2020–present

In 2020, Gangtok Himalayan went to Nepal for participating in the 18th Aaha! Rara Gold Cup, but their journey ended after a 3–0 defeat to Three Star Club in quarter-finals.[39][40]

Rivalry

Gangtok Himalayan has a rivalry with their fellow Sikkim based club United Sikkim FC,[41] whom they usually face in regional tournaments including Sikkim Premier Division League.[42][43] The rivalry is commonly referred to as "Sikkim Derby". Both the clubs mostly use Paljor Stadium as their home ground. One of their most memorable matches was on 9 November 2019 during Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup, and Gangtok Himalayan won by 3–1.[44]

Stadium

Aerial view of Paljor Stadium, home of Sikkim Himalayan FC

For I-League 2nd Division, the club announced that they would play their home matches at the 30,000 seater Paljor Stadium in the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok.[45][46] The club has also used the stadium for matches of regional tournaments like Sikkim Premier Division League.[47][48][49][50] It was opened in 1943 and has artificial turf.[51][52]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2015—2020 Vamos[53] Organic Sikkim

Past internationals

Honours

League

Cup

Other departments

Youth football

The club has been operating various youth men's teams for regional tournaments. In 2013, their U-14 team took part in Snow Lion Cup, hosted by United Sikkim.[71]

Futsal

Gangtok Himalayan has men's futsal section, that participated in tournaments like Chandmari Futsal Championship.[72][73]

See also

Notes

  1. ^
    Besides Nepal national football team, Tashi Tsering also represented Tibet national football team in non-FIFA international matches.
  2. ^
    Karma Tsewang is an Indian-born footballer, who represents Tibet national football team in non-FIFA international matches.

References

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Future reading

External links

Football in Sikkim
Categories