The club is also a frequent participant of the
Sikkim Gold Cup,[11][12] a premier club tournament in the state.[13]
History
Formation and journey
Gangtok Himalayan FC (originally known as Sikkim Himalayan SC)[14][15][16] was founded in 2012 in Gangtok,[17] the capital city of the Indian state Sikkim, and affiliated with
Sikkim Football Association (SFA).[18][19][20] Since then, they have been participating in various domestic and amateur tournaments regionally.[21] The club was founded by Tenzing Lamtha.[22] In October 2014, Gangtok Himalayan participated in Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup and reached to the semi-finals, but their journey ended with a 2–1 defeat to
ONGC FC.[23][24][25] In September 2015, former India international Arjunan Shanta Kumar was appointed as manager of the club.[26]
In January 2016, they were officially certified by the
All India Football Federation to participate in the I-League 2nd Division,[27] the second tier of
football in India, after finishing 2nd in the Sikkim Premier Division League. This move began a new chapter for Gangtok-based side as they became one of first professional football clubs from the
North East India.[28] 2016 was the most successful season for Gangtok Himalayan, in which they participated in the I-League 2nd Division,
Durand Cup,[29][30] Sikkim Gold Cup and Sikkim Premier Division League. After finishing 2nd in the group A of the
2015–16 I-League 2nd Division,[31] Gangtok Himalayan qualified for the
2015–16 I-League 2nd Division final round. There they finished as 5th and failed to qualify for the
I-League.[32]
Gangtok Himalayan players in training at the
Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, in 2017.
In
2016 Durand Cup, the Himalayans finished 5th, behind
Indian Navy in the group A with 6 points.[33][34] In 2019, they reached to the final of 39th edition of the
Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup final defeating Royal FC Siliguri 3–1,[35][36] but lost the title winning match to
Mohammedan Sporting by 2–1 margin.[37][38] In that year, Gangtok Himalayan lifted Independence Day Football Tournament trophy defeating Sikkim Aacraman FC via penalty shoot-out.
I-League fate
The All India Football Federation were all set to invite bids for vacant spots in the I-League and Gangtok-based Sikkim Himalayan was one of the front-runners to join, but it was not materialized.[39]
Gangtok Himalayan has a rivalry with their fellow Sikkim based club
United Sikkim FC,[42] whom they usually face in regional tournaments including Sikkim Premier Division League.[43][44] The rivalry is commonly referred to as "Sikkim Derby". Both the clubs mostly use
Paljor Stadium as their home ground. One of their most memorable matches was on 9 November 2019 during Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup, and Gangtok Himalayan won by 3–1.[45]
Stadium
Aerial view of Paljor Stadium, home of Sikkim Himalayan FC
For I-League 2nd Division, the club announced that they would play their home matches at the 30,000 seater Paljor Stadium in the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok.[46][47] The club has also used the stadium for matches of regional tournaments like Sikkim Premier Division League.[48][49][50][51] It was opened in 1943 and has
artificial turf.[52][53]
The players below had senior or age-level international cap(s) for their respective countries or autonomous regions. Players whose name is listed, represented their countries before or after playing for Gangtok Himalayan SC.
The club has been operating various youth men's teams for regional tournaments. In 2013, their U-14 team took part in Snow Lion Cup, hosted by United Sikkim.[72]
Futsal
Gangtok Himalayan has men's
futsal section, that participated in tournaments like Chandmari Futsal Championship.[73][74]
^Rup Narayan Dhakal (10 March 2020).
"Three Star advance to last four". thehimalayantimes.com. The Himalayan Times. Archived from
the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
^Schöggl, Hans (11 June 2023).
"Tibet — GCMGC Gold Cup Winners". rsssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from
the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
The club is also a frequent participant of the
Sikkim Gold Cup,[11][12] a premier club tournament in the state.[13]
History
Formation and journey
Gangtok Himalayan FC (originally known as Sikkim Himalayan SC)[14][15][16] was founded in 2012 in Gangtok,[17] the capital city of the Indian state Sikkim, and affiliated with
Sikkim Football Association (SFA).[18][19][20] Since then, they have been participating in various domestic and amateur tournaments regionally.[21] The club was founded by Tenzing Lamtha.[22] In October 2014, Gangtok Himalayan participated in Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup and reached to the semi-finals, but their journey ended with a 2–1 defeat to
ONGC FC.[23][24][25] In September 2015, former India international Arjunan Shanta Kumar was appointed as manager of the club.[26]
In January 2016, they were officially certified by the
All India Football Federation to participate in the I-League 2nd Division,[27] the second tier of
football in India, after finishing 2nd in the Sikkim Premier Division League. This move began a new chapter for Gangtok-based side as they became one of first professional football clubs from the
North East India.[28] 2016 was the most successful season for Gangtok Himalayan, in which they participated in the I-League 2nd Division,
Durand Cup,[29][30] Sikkim Gold Cup and Sikkim Premier Division League. After finishing 2nd in the group A of the
2015–16 I-League 2nd Division,[31] Gangtok Himalayan qualified for the
2015–16 I-League 2nd Division final round. There they finished as 5th and failed to qualify for the
I-League.[32]
Gangtok Himalayan players in training at the
Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, in 2017.
In
2016 Durand Cup, the Himalayans finished 5th, behind
Indian Navy in the group A with 6 points.[33][34] In 2019, they reached to the final of 39th edition of the
Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup final defeating Royal FC Siliguri 3–1,[35][36] but lost the title winning match to
Mohammedan Sporting by 2–1 margin.[37][38] In that year, Gangtok Himalayan lifted Independence Day Football Tournament trophy defeating Sikkim Aacraman FC via penalty shoot-out.
I-League fate
The All India Football Federation were all set to invite bids for vacant spots in the I-League and Gangtok-based Sikkim Himalayan was one of the front-runners to join, but it was not materialized.[39]
Gangtok Himalayan has a rivalry with their fellow Sikkim based club
United Sikkim FC,[42] whom they usually face in regional tournaments including Sikkim Premier Division League.[43][44] The rivalry is commonly referred to as "Sikkim Derby". Both the clubs mostly use
Paljor Stadium as their home ground. One of their most memorable matches was on 9 November 2019 during Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup, and Gangtok Himalayan won by 3–1.[45]
Stadium
Aerial view of Paljor Stadium, home of Sikkim Himalayan FC
For I-League 2nd Division, the club announced that they would play their home matches at the 30,000 seater Paljor Stadium in the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok.[46][47] The club has also used the stadium for matches of regional tournaments like Sikkim Premier Division League.[48][49][50][51] It was opened in 1943 and has
artificial turf.[52][53]
The players below had senior or age-level international cap(s) for their respective countries or autonomous regions. Players whose name is listed, represented their countries before or after playing for Gangtok Himalayan SC.
The club has been operating various youth men's teams for regional tournaments. In 2013, their U-14 team took part in Snow Lion Cup, hosted by United Sikkim.[72]
Futsal
Gangtok Himalayan has men's
futsal section, that participated in tournaments like Chandmari Futsal Championship.[73][74]
^Rup Narayan Dhakal (10 March 2020).
"Three Star advance to last four". thehimalayantimes.com. The Himalayan Times. Archived from
the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
^Schöggl, Hans (11 June 2023).
"Tibet — GCMGC Gold Cup Winners". rsssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from
the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.