Former Indian Football Captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who floated his own party named Hamro Sikkim Party in 2018, to beat the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), today joined hands with the SDF chief Pawan Chamling, former Chief Minister of Sikkim.
Sources close to the development told IANS that his nomination was proposed by the Andhra Football Association and seconded by Rajasthan Football Association.
Going by his stature in Indian football, one may assume that Bhutia is the front-runner for the next AIFF president but the list suggests things will not be easy for him as other candidates have strong political connections.
Bhutia said that the inclusion of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the ISL will benefit everybody as he believed that the ISL also required such big clubs.
East Bengal on Wednesday announced Shree Cements as their new investor and further declared that they will now appeal to become a part of this season’s ISL.
"It has already started getting back on its feet. Games and matches, including cricket and football, have already begun in countries outside India. Unlike other sectors, it will be easier for the industry to recover from the slump," Mr Bhutia said.
Sandesh Jhingan had got rejected by many second-third division clubs in Kolkata, and that had put the central defender in doubt over his footballing future.
However, Bhaichung Bhutia praised Bundesliga for resuming the 2019-20 season and said it was still better than no live matches all.
Bundesliga resumed the season last weekend after a suspension of more than two months due to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The former Indian captain, Goswami, was the leader of the gold medal-winning team in the 1962 Asian Games.
