United Sikkim to withdraw from 34th All India Governor’s Gold Cup?

United Sikkim Football Cub will not be playing the inaugural match of the 34th All India Governor’s Gold Cup which begins today.

The team is upset with what it claims is Sikkim Football Association’s unfair conduct towards them.

UFSC is not happy with the match fee offered for the tournament. While teams like Mohammedan Sporting are being paid Rs. 8 lakhs, the home team is getting only Rs. 10,000, despite being in the I-league last season.

UFSC also has to play qualifying round matches even as lower ranked teams have been exempted from this and have got a direct entry at pre-quarter or quarter final rounds.

“USFC is promoting football players in the state and representing Sikkim at the national level. We should also be supported and encouraged by local bodies,” said USFC owner Baichung Bhutia at a press conference yesterday.

Talks are on with SFA to settle the issue.