West Sikkim residents demand rules for foreign players in Independence Day football tournaments

Residents of West Sikkim say the growing recruitment of non-local and foreign footballers for Independence Day tournaments is affecting opportunities for local players. They point to the annual competitions and other celebratory events across the state, where they believe local clubs are increasingly depending on outside players from other parts of India, Nepal and some African countries.

Demand for a clear recruitment framework

While acknowledging that experienced players can improve match quality, many citizens want a balanced policy. They are asking the Sports and Youth Affairs department to frame guidelines that protect homegrown talent without harming competitiveness. Several locals said the current lack of rules results in local players being overlooked during the holiday season, and it also leads to money being spent that does not stay in Sikkim.

Residents have suggested that clubs should have a limit on non-local and foreign players. One common recommendation mentioned in the discussion is a maximum of four to five foreign players in a team. Some supporters of outside participation say international involvement can be positive, especially in tournaments that also see clubs from neighbouring countries. However, they argue that local clubs should not field an entire line-up of foreign players.

Money, development and local academies

Activist and politician Pravin Sharma questioned the spending linked to the Independence Day football events. He alleged that each constituency spends nearly Rs. 40-50 lakh every year on football-related programmes, and said a larger share of that money should go to sports infrastructure, training facilities and long-term youth programmes. Sharma also claimed the state lacks adequate sports academies and that private academies struggle due to limited government support.

On the ground, some residents say local players face difficulty getting picked. A local footballer, speaking anonymously, said he was unable to secure a place in any team this year because clubs showed no interest in signing him. Concerned citizens also shared similar views online, asking whether any local rule already exists for hiring outside footballers, and calling for a policy that allows Sikkimese players to get chances and develop.