Paljor Stadium
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2018) |
 A view of the stadium | |
 | |
| Location | Gangtok, Sikkim |
|---|---|
| Owner | State of Sikkim |
| Capacity | 30,000[1] |
| Field size | 104 m × 65 m (114 yd × 71 yd) |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1939 |
| Opened | 1943 |
| Expanded | April 2001–22 September 2005 |
| Tenants | |
| Sikkim Premier Division League[2] | |
Paljor Stadium (also spelled Palzor Stadium) is a football stadium located in Gangtok,[3][4] Sikkim, India.[5][6] The stadium is currently home to Sikkim Premier Division League clubs.[7][8] It holds 30,000 people. The stadium also hosts matches of the Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup.[9][10][11]
History
Foundation
The Paljor Stadium is popularly known as Polo Ground. Chogyal named it around 1943 because Britishers and few members of aristocratic family of Sikkim played at the Polo Ground. While tracing the history of Paljor Stadium it is indeed very difficult to ascertain its origin. The old timers recall this flat piece of land being used by the Tibetan traders to station their herds of Sheep en route to the Sikkim and India. Around 1939 one of the Political Officers, Sir Basil Gould had sanctioned Rs.3000 (approx $75.2634) to the Forest Department and ordered that the grass demonstration farm be set up there. Kikuyu Grass from Africa and Venezuela grass were grown for the soil binding, The whole task was completed in April 1941. Later Paljor Stadium proved to be a major venue of all public meeting including those of Prime ministers and religious leaders. The ground has been hosting the Independence day and republic day celebrations and also all major atheistic events.
Renovation
It was on 24 July 1998 that a High Power state Committee constituted by the government took a decision to upgrade and renovate the existing Paljor Stadium. The project of redesigning and modernizing cost was around ₹ 30 Crores, out of which ₹ 15.36 Crores was from DONER contribution and remaining from the State coffer. The actual work started off in 2001. The modern look of the stadium was designed by M/S Architect Consultant Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata and its execution was assigned to Civil Engineers Enterprise Ltd. Kolkata. Initially the project was scheduled to be completed by March 2004, but owning the additional work the date was shifted to April 2005.
Upgradation of the stadium
The work on the upgradation of Paljor Stadium was started in April 2001 and has been completed and the Stadium has been since handed over to the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs. The Stadium has an estimated sitting capacity of 25,000 spectators and the accumulated cost of construction stands at Rs. 30.70 crores. It has the following facilities:
- International size turf football field.
- Electronic scoreboard.
- Hostel accommodation.
- Media centre.
- VIP lounge.
- Room for Physiotherapy centre.
- Room for multi-gym and fitness centre.
- Players’ and officials’ change room.
- Inbuilt public address system.
- Fire protection system.
- Indoor hall for basketball.
The ultra-modern Paljor Stadium was inaugurated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the President of India on 22 September 2005 in the presence of the Governor of Sikkim and Dr. Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim.
27°20′03″N 88°36′43″E / 27.334131°N 88.611981°E
References
- ^ "Paljor Stadium". soccerway. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
- ^ "PREMIER DIVISION S-LEAGUE 2019: KUMAR SPORTING FC 2-2 UNICORN FC AND SIKKIM AAKRAMAN FC 5-0 UNITED SIKKIM FC". Goalie365. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ Bhattacharya, Nilesh (23 March 2011). "Bhaichung Bhutia launches United Sikkim in new avatar". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ NE NOW NEWS, 11:14 am (19 August 2018). "United Sikkim FC pull off spectacular win in crucial Sikkim Premier League match". nenow.in. North East Now. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "USFC concludes training for Kalinga Cup & 2nd Div I-League". iSikkim. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
- ^ "Sikkim Aakraman F.C. Sikkim Premier Division League Champions". sikkimexpress.com. The Sikkim Express. 26 September 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ Goalie365. "Sikkim Football Association released the fixture for 2018 Sikkim Premier Division League at football house in Gangtok". Goalie365. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "TENZING TSHEPEL DOUBLE HAND SIKKIM AAKRAMAN FC CRUCIAL THREE POINTS". www.goalie365.com. Goalie365. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ India 2019/20: Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup. RSSSF. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ Chowdhury, Aritra (11 November 2019). "MSC confident ahead of Gold Cup final vs Sikkim Himalayan FC". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 16 December 2021 suggested (help) - ^ "39th SIKKIM GOVERNOR'S GOLD CUP 2019 SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL". Kolkatafootball.com. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
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