Bhaichung Bhutia Retires from International Football
Former Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia, was not only one of the finest players the country ever produced but also an inspirational leader of men.
The 34 year old, who hailed from a nondescript village called Namchi in Sikkim, rose to stardom after making his international debut in 1995 against Thailand in Kolkata.
In a country obsessed with cricket, Bhaichung is perhaps the only footballer to have carved a niche for himself by his game and inspirational leadership.
Coach Bob Houghton compared him to cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar. while Indian football legend IM Vijayan termed him as the “God’s gift to Indian football“.
bhaichung said in a interview to TOI “I had a fantastic 16 years of international football. I enjoyed every moment that I have represented the country, to have contributed to the game. The last 7-8 months have been frustrating due to lot of injuries. So I have decided to quit,”
“Lots of things in life do not happen the way we wish so I am quitting from international football, but will continue playing for my club United Sikkim,” he added.
The most recognisable face of Indian football, Baichung has been decorated with Arjuna Award in 1998 and Padma Shri in 2008.
Under him, India won the South Asian Football Federation Championships thrice, two Nehru Cup titles (in 2007 and 2009) and the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup which gave India the right to play in the Asian Cup this year for the first time after 1984.
But the calf muscle injury he picked up against Namibia in an international friendly at the Ambedkar Stadium here in September in the run up to the Asian Cup in Doha hastened his international retirement.
Baichung could only play for 15 minutes against South Korea in India’s last group match in the Asian Cup in January and that turned out to be his swansong game from the international arena.
He was dropped from the Indian squad selected for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the preparatory matches, a move which he took into his strides but complained for not showing the courtesy of at least informing him of that.
Baichung is unsung hero of Indian Sports. Many people know only one football player of India and it's him.
He is retiring from football
Bhaichung Bhutia bids goodbye to international football. Bhaichung Bhutia well done for India. He have made us proud.
Bhaichung Bhutia retires from International Football! So Good Bye Bhaichung..!!
