KalimNews, Kalimpong, March 5, 2025: Bharat Chhetri, a former Olympian and former captain of the Indian hockey team, is set to host a major four-day hockey tournament in his hometown of Kalimpong this month. The event, named the “Late K B Chhetri Gold Cup Invitation All India Tournament,” will be held at the Bharat Chhetri Hockey Academy’s grounds in Upper Payun, located near 16th Mile, around five kilometers from Kalimpong town. This much-anticipated tournament, which aims to reignite the spirit of hockey in Kalimpong, will commence on March 13 and conclude with the final match on March 16.
The tournament is expected to attract young hockey talent from across India, with teams representing states such as Punjab, Manipur, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, Calcutta, and, of course, Darjeeling and Kalimpong. For the first time, both boys and girls from Darjeeling and Kalimpong will participate in this prestigious event, marking an exciting milestone for the local community.
This inaugural tournament will feature two categories: Under-17 Girls and Under-14 Boys. The matches will be played in a fast-paced five-a-side format, with each team consisting of one goalkeeper, four field players, and three substitutes. Each half of the match will last for 10 minutes, and the games will kick off daily at 10:30 AM.
Chhetri, who is committed to reviving hockey in Kalimpong, initiated the construction of the Bharat Chhetri Hockey Academy in 2023, with support from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). The academy, which is nearing completion, is situated on a 60-decimal plot of land that was generously donated by Chhetri himself, in memory of his late father, who had always dreamed of starting the academy. The facility will feature two state-of-the-art turf fields, each measuring 130 meters by 80 meters, which will host the tournament matches.
“We want to restore the glory of hockey in Kalimpong,” Chhetri stated, underscoring the significance of encouraging local youth to embrace the sport. The success of the Indian national hockey team in recent years, particularly with two consecutive bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, has fueled renewed interest in the sport, especially among the younger generation across India. Kalimpong, once known for its vibrant hockey culture, has seen a decline in interest in the sport, but this tournament is a major step toward bringing it back into the limelight.
An ad-hoc committee has been formed to oversee the tournament’s organization, with Bharat Chhetri serving as the Chief Patron. The committee includes several prominent members, such as Dawa Tenzi Sherpa, Sabhasad of the GTA, Miss Dhaka Devi Mangar, the Pradhan of Panchayat, and Mrs. Geeta Chhetri, a national hockey player, who will serve as the President. The committee also includes Working Presidents Navin Thapa and Pawan Tamang, Secretary Nadong Bhutia, who is a National Footballer, Joint Secretary Palden Tshering Tamang, and Treasurer K B Chhetri and Tshering T Bhutia.
The tournament is seen as a significant step toward revitalizing hockey in Kalimpong and offering young talent, especially from local schools, a platform to showcase their skills on a national stage. Nadong Bhutia, the Secretary of the organizing committee, emphasized that with hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay as the brand ambassador, this event is bound to inspire and motivate young players to strive for excellence.
This tournament is a great opportunity for the region’s youth to gain exposure, develop their skills, and possibly pursue a future in professional sports. Bharat Chhetri’s efforts are seen as a vital contribution to the development of the sport, as well as to the community’s overall growth. “Sports can be a viable career option for the youth of Kalimpong,” Bhutia remarked, reflecting on his and Chhetri’s own experiences. “Both Bharat and I have secured jobs with reputed organizations due to our excellence in sports, and this tournament will show the youth that pursuing a career in games can open doors to a bright future, whether through sports-related scholarships, jobs in the sports industry, or other opportunities.”
Nadong Bhutia also emphasized the collaborative effort from over twenty societies around Kalimpong and Paiyun, who are helping with the tournament’s organization. He believes this event will not only energize the local youth but also inspire the entire community to get involved in sports and support their future champions.
To further promote the tournament, a poster was released earlier this month on March 1. During the release, Bharat Chhetri also noted that students from the Hills can benefit from sports quotas for college admissions and government job opportunities, just as he himself had. The initiative has garnered significant support from various sectors, and many individuals from different fields have congratulated Chhetri and his team for their dedication to promoting hockey and offering opportunities for young players.
With high hopes for the success of the tournament, the community eagerly awaits the start of what promises to be an exciting and historic event. It is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of hockey in Kalimpong and to inspire the next generation of athletes to pursue their dreams both on and off the field.
43-year-old Chhetri made his debut in international hockey in 2001, playing in the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup tournament in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was first appointed captain of the Indian national team in October 2011 for the four-nation Super Series and an international tournament in Australia. He was the captain of the 18-member Indian squad at the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, where the team won the bronze medal. Chhetri also led the 16-member Indian hockey squad in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. For his contributions to the sport, he was awarded the Banga Ratna in 2015 and the Banga Bibhushan in 2016.
