When Baichung Bhutia turned a motivator

KOLKATA: Compared to Langsning SC, United Sikkim FC had very few supporters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during their first match of the second division I-League against the Shillong-based side on Thursday.
But, they had one bold voice backing them for the entire 90 minutes. Co-owner of USFC Baichung Bhutia, who made his debut as an entrepreneur, this match was of added significance.
Bhutia could not be part of the squad for this match because he is yet to fully recover from the calf-muscle injury, but was as excited as his players on the ground. While coach Stanley Rozario was shouting instructions from the technical area, Bhutia kept encouraging the players from the gallery.
"Go, boys go," yelled the India captain as referee Deepak Kumar Dey blew the whistle to signal the start of the proceedings. He did not stop till the match ended 2-2. From alerting a defender who was sloth in closing down a rival striker to passing on advice or egging on his players whenever the intensity dipped, Bhutia was at it all the time.
Take, for example, USFC's second goal in the 32nd minute. As B Beikhokhei, from whose free-kick the first goal had been scored, stepped up to take the free-kick again, Bhutia shouted, "Fela ke liye chor de (Leave it for Lalrin Fela)." So up came Fela and floated one to the second post for NS Manju to head home, leaving Bhutia jumping up and down in joy.
Celebrations over, he was back with more advice. "Boys, keep your focus and get going again," he yelled. On one occasion, he was not happy with a defender who fouled a Langsning player. "I have been telling you to play straight and not foul," he admonished the player.
Overall, he was not disappointed with the result. "It is not a great start, but not a bad one either," he said. "We missed our Japanese defender Mituski Ichihara as he is down with food poisoning. It is also frustrating that I am injured and can't play but I will play at some stage," he added, making it very clear how eager he is to get on to the pitch
Fellow-India international and Bhutia's close friend Rennedy Singh was also sad to miss USFC's first match because of an injury. Asked why he decided to join USFC, Rennedy said, "Baichung had been toying with the idea of floating a club of his own. We had an eight-month contract with the national team and I felt it would be a good idea to for his club for three-four months. I will stick with this club next season if we qualify for the I-League."
Rennedy, however, accepted that it will be tough to gain promotion. "The level of competition in second division is not bad. Moreover, this club is new and players have not played together for long. So, it will take some for the coordination to come," he added.
Rennedy said he would love to work for USFC once he hangs up his boots. He wants to do a coaching course and work under a under a top coach before taking independent charge of a side.