Bhaichung Bhutia

Bhaichung Bhutia (born 15 December 1976), also spelled as Baichung Bhutia, is an Indian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Bhutia is considered as the torchbearer of Indian football in the international arena.

He is often nicknamed the Sikkimese Sniper because of his shooting skills in football.

Three-time Indian Player of the Year I. M. Vijayan described Bhutia as "God's gift to Indian football".

Bhutia has had four spells at then I-League side East Bengal Club, the club where he started his career.

His performance at the 1992 Subroto Cup, where he won the "Best Player" award, brought him to the notice of the football establishment.

Former India goalkeeper, Bhaskar Ganguly spotted his talent and helped him make the transition to Calcutta football.

In addition to football, Bhutia also represented his school at badminton, basketball and athletics.

In 1993, at the age of sixteen, Bhutia left school to join the professional East Bengal F.C. in Kolkata.

He is also India's second youngest international goal scorer after Jerry Zirsanga when he scored his first goal against Uzbekistan in 1995 Nehru cup at the age of 18 years 90 days.

Off the field, Bhutia is known for winning the reality television programme Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which caused much controversy with his then-club Mohun Bagan, and for being the first Indian athlete to boycott the Olympic torch relay in support of the Tibetan independence movement.

Bhutia, who has a football stadium named after him in honour of his contribution to Indian football (first player to have such honour while he is still playing), has also won many awards, such as the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.

Two years later, he transferred to JCT Mills in Phagwara, which went on to win the India National Football League in the 1996–97 season.

Bhutia was the top goalscorer in the league, and was chosen to make his international debut in the Nehru Cup.

He was named "1996 Indian Player of the Year".

In 1997, Bhutia returned to East Bengal.

He has the distinction of scoring the first hat-trick in the local derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, when he registered one in East Bengal's 4–1 victory in the 1997 Federation Cup semi-final.

He became team captain in the 1998–99 season, during which East Bengal finished second behind Salgaocar in the league.

When he joined English club Bury in 1999, he became the first Indian footballer to sign a contract with a European club and only the second to play professionally in Europe, after Mohammed Salim.

Afterwards he had a short loan spell at the Malaysian football club Perak FA.

As well as this he has played for JCT Mills, which won the league once during his tenure; and Mohun Bagan, which failed to win the league once during his two spells, in his native India.

His international footballing honours include winning the Nehru Cup, LG Cup, SAFF Championship three times and the AFC Challenge Cup.

He is also India's second most capped player, with 80 international caps to his name.

Furthermore, he became the 19th footballer to receive the Arjuna Award in 1999, which the Government of India gives out to athletes to recognise their "outstanding achievements" in national sports.

Bhutia has had limited opportunities in playing overseas.

On 30 September 1999, he travelled overseas to play for Bury in Greater Manchester, England.

He became only the second Indian footballer to play professionally in Europe after Mohammed Salim.

By penning a three-year contract he also became the first Indian footballer to sign for a European club.

This followed unsuccessful trials for Bhutia with Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa.

He had difficulty in obtaining a visa and could not make his debut, until 3 October 1999 against Cardiff City.

In October 2010, he founded Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in Delhi in partnership with football by Carlos Queiroz and Nike.

In August 2011, Bhutia announced his retirement from international football.

His farewell match was with the India national team on 10 January 2012 against Bayern Munich at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi.

Bhutia contested in the general election of All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the president post; lost 33–1 to Kalyan Chaubey.

He also served as president of the Sikkim Football Association.

Bhaichung Bhutia was born in an agricultural family.

Both of his parents were farmers in Sikkim and were originally not keen on Bhutia's interest in sports.

His father died in his childhood but after encouragement from his uncle, Karma Bhutia, he started his education in St. Xaviers School, Pakyong, East Sikkim.

At the age of nine he won a football scholarship from SAI to attend the Tashi Namgyal Academy in Gangtok.

He went on to play for several schools and local clubs in his home state of Sikkim, including the Gangtok-based Boys Club, which was managed by Karma.