Sudeep Pakrashi:

Despite the historic debut of 1Ladakh FC in the recently-concluded Durand Cup, Ladakh’s only professional football club had to stop its football functioning temporarily, after the tournament.

The reason was dire financial distress. The club obtained financial aid from the government and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council to participate in the Blub Riband tournament. Still, it was not easy for the club’s top brass to carry on with the expenses, spent for the team as several out-stationed footballers and former Chennaiyin FC coach Rajan Mani.

1 Ladakh FC had an impressive 1-1 draw against the Nepalese team, Tribhuvan Army, in their opener. Then the team lost to Jamshedpur FC and the Indian Army, but demonstrated an inspiring show in both the group league matches.

So, as an aftermath of the experience club’s top brass gained from participating in the Durand Cup, 1 Ladakh FC’s top brass has begun initiating a corporate sponsorship to strengthen the club’s financial structure. It is believed that international sportswear brand Puma has expressed a desire to join 1Ladakh FC as one of the main sponsors.

Simultaneously, the Ladakh Football Association organized a ‘Climate Summit’ along with its annual competition, Climate Cup, last year. The summit helped the 1 Ladakh FC top brass to start a discussion with the Chelsea Foundation regarding an association with 1 Ladakh FC on the youth development program and coaches’ education program. 1 Lakhadh FC management is reportedly going to London to make an official tie-up with the Chelsea Foundation.

Significantly, 1 Ladakh FC’s one of the owners, Tsering Angmo revealed that the team are all set to enter the I-League this season, participating in the Third Division of the League. “Playing in the Durand Cup was a huge experience for not only the team but also for us. We are grateful to the Indian Army for allowing us to play in the historic tournament. We also learned how to conduct such a big tournament as the Durand Cup. We have been inspired a lot, and now our aim is to play in the Third Division I-League this year. Our state league will take place after March, and the state league champion will be entitled to participate in the I-League-3 also.”

Angmo, who is also the secretary of Ladakh FA, is planning to introduce a long-term women’s football coaching program this year. When asked about her plans, she explained, “Initially, the coaching program with the girls will take off through a non-residential coaching program with around 30 potential girls. Then we will materialize it by launching a residential football school for both boys and girls at Leh.”