Dimapur, Feb. 23 (EMN): Former Indian football captains, Bhaichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh will be arriving in the state for the closing ceremony of the Sumi Hoho trophy scheduled on March 9.
This was informed by Tokato Yepthomi, manager ground operations of Atoqa Tea Producer Company Limited (ATPCL) Global Network Group (GNG), in a press release on Wednesday.
Bhutia along with United Sikkim FC (USFC) 11 will be arriving in the state on March 8. The entourage including N K Naga, Bollywood playback singer, who will be releasing the Sumi football song, will proceed to Suruhuto for the event.
An exhibition match in solidarity of grassroots football in the state will also be played between Sumi 11 and USFC 11 during the closing ceremony at 9 am on March 9.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), GNG would be supporting coach training in Siliguri under the guidance of Baichung Bhutia to set up an Under-14 team in Suruhuto sub-division and will sponsor talented players for trials in professional Football clubs to give them the appropriate platform and support under the banner of Suruhuto Area Sports Association (SASA).
Bhutia, an Arjuna awardee Padma Sri is closely associated with Suruhuto sub-division and had also donated to Suruhuto Covid task force during the pandemic in 2020. He is also the brand ambassador of “Nagaland Premium Tea” produced in Atoqa tea factory, Nikheku village under Niuland district, which is a new tea product in the market, it stated.
Singh is the founder of Classic Football Academy, presently training 600 young aspiring footballers under 17 years.
Renedy Singh and Baichung Bhutia are presently the advisors for Western Sumi Sports Association (WSSA).
Sumi Hoho trophy is conducted under the aegis of Sumi Games and Sports Association (SGSA) covering all Sumi areas in Nagaland and upper Assam.