Bhaichung Bhutia (born 15 December 1976), also spelled as Baichung Bhutia, is a former Indian

footballer from the state of Sikkim, who played as a striker. Bhutia is considered to be the torchbearer of
Indian football in the international arena.[3] He is often nicknamed the Sikkimese Sniper because of his
shooting skills in football.[4][5] Three-time Indian Player of the Year I. M. Vijayan described Bhutia as
"God's gift to Indian football".[6] Bhaichung Bhutia has an older brother named Chewang Bhutia.
Chewang and Bhaichung both went to boarding school. Bhutia has had four spells at I-League football
team East Bengal Club, the club where he started his career. 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 82 international
caps to his name. 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.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9]

Contents

1 Early life

2 Club career

2.1 Bury

2.2 Return to India

2.3 Back to Malaysia

2.4 East Bengal (IV)

2.5 United Sikkim

2.6 Final stint at East Bengal

3 Managerial career

4 International career

4.1 International statistics

4.2 International goals

4.3 Non-FIFA international goals

5 Other careers

5.1 Entertainment

5.1.1 Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa

5.2 Politics

5.3 Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools

6 United Sikkim

7 Honours

8 Personal Honours

9 See also

10 References

11 External links

Early life

Bhaichung Bhutia was born on 15 December 1976 in Tinkitam, Sikkim. In addition to football, Bhutia also
represented his school at badminton, basketball and athletics.[10] He has two older brothers, Chewang
and Bom Bom Bhutia, and one younger sister named Cali. His parents, both farmers in Sikkim, were
originally not keen on Bhutia's interest in sports. His father died but after encouragement from his
uncle, Karma Bhutia, he started his education in St. Xaviers School, Pakyong, East Sikkim, and at the age
of nine he won a football scholarship from SAI to attend the Tashi Namgyal Academy in Gangtok.[11]
He went on to play for several school and local clubs in his home state of Sikkim, including the Gangtok-
based Boys Club, which was managed by Karma.[10] 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.[12]

Bhutia is married to Madhuri Tipnis.

Club career

A large football stadium which is roughly 75% full. There are footballers on the pitch, most of whom are
on the right side of the stadium. The team on the left, East Bengal are wearing red while Bayern Munich,
right, are wearing black. The floodlights are on and the sky appears to be orange.

Yuva Bharati Krirangan – home stadium of East Bengal Club and Mohun Bagan

In 1993, at the age of sixteen, he left school to join the professional East Bengal F.C. in Calcutta.[13] 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.[10][14] Bhutia was the top goalscorer in the league, and was chosen to
make his international debut in the Nehru Cup.[11] He was named "1996 Indian Player of the
Year".[11][12]

In 1997, he returned to East Bengal.[10] Bhutia 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.[15] He became team captain in the 1998–99 season, during
which East Bengal finished second behind Salgaocar in the league.[16] 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.[11][12]

Bury

"His presence will be a big boost to the confidence of many Asian youngsters."

Piara Power, Let's Kick Racism Out of Football campaign co-ordinator, after Bhutia signed for Bury.[17]

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.[18] By penning a three-year contract he also became
the first Indian footballer to sign for a European club.[17] This followed unsuccessful trials for Bhutia
with Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa.[19][20] He had difficulty obtaining a visa and could
not make his debut, until 3 October 1999 against Cardiff City.[21][22] In that match, he came on as a
substitute for Ian Lawson and played a part in Bury's second goal, which was scored by Darren Bullock
after Bhutia's volley was deflected into his path.[23] On 15 April 2000, he scored his first goal in the
English league in the game against Chesterfield.[24] A recurring knee injury limited him to only three
games in his final season at Bury, and he was released after the club was placed in administration.[25]
His final appearance was a 3–0 defeat to Swindon Town on 27 August 2001.[25]

Return to India

In 2002, he returned to India and played for the Mohun Bagan for a year.[26] However, this was largely
unsuccessful as Bhutia was injured early in the season and failed to play again that season, missing
Mohun Bagan's only trophy win; the All Airlines Gold Cup.[26] Afterwards, he again returned to the East
Bengal Club,[12] helping them to win the ASEAN Club Championship.

Bhaichung_Bhutia in the inauguration ceremony of Palakkad Noorani Football stadium

Bhutia scored a goal in the final, a 3–1 win over Tero Sasana, and was named the "man of the match".
He also finished as the top scorer of the Championship with nine goals.[27] Bhutia also scored in the 1–1
draw against Petrokimia Putra and scored five goals in a 6–0 win against Philippine Army in the same
tournament.[28][29]

He signed up to play for Perak FA, the Malaysian championship club, from August to October 2003 on
loan and returned to East Bengal Club for the regular season.[30] However, his stint at Perak FA ended
in a 3–1 defeat against Sabah FA in the Malaysia Cup semi-finals, after which Bhutia described himself as
the "villain of the piece".[31] In the 2003–04 season, Bhutia scored 12 goals as East Bengal won the
league by four points from second-placed Dempo.[32][33] During the 2004–05 season, Bhutia scored
nine goals for East Bengal, which finished in third place behind SC Goa and champions Dempo.[34] He
continued to play for East Bengal until the end of the 2005–06 season. In his final season there he was
awarded the "Player of the National Football League" by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in a
season where he scored 12 goals.[35] Despite this, East Bengal finished runners-up to Mahindra United
in the league.[36]
Back to Malaysia

In 2005, Bhutia signed for another Malaysian club, Selangor MK Land. He made five appearances only,
scoring one goal, as the club had monetary problems. Before, he received an offer from then Home
United manager Steve Darby, but rejected the offer. Darby later revealed that he failed to sign Bhutia
because the offer he made was less than what he was getting in India that time.[37]

"I will try to live up to the expectations of Mohun Bagan supporters and bring success to the team this
time."

Bhaichung Bhutia, on signing for Mohun Bagan a second time.[38]

On 15 June 2006, he joined Mohun Bagan and formed an attacking partnership with Jose Ramirez
Barreto. However, the 2006–07 season was a poor one for Bhutia and Mohun Bagan as they finished
eighth in the league, just one position above relegation.[39] During the 2007–08 season (the league was
now known as the I-League), Bhutia scored 10 goals in 18 matches, and Mohun Bagan finished slightly
higher in the league in fourth place.[40] Bhutia won the Indian Player of the Year for the second time in
2008. In winning the award, he became only the second footballer to win it more than once; the other
was I. M. Vijayan.[41] In the 2008–09 season, despite a 10-match winning streak, Mohun Bagan finished
in second place behind Churchill Brothers because of a final day loss to Mahindra United.[42] Bhutia
finished the season with six goals.[43]

On 18 May 2009, Bhutia announced he would quit Mohun Bagan, due to the questioning of his
footballing commitment by the club's officials.[44] As a result of the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa incident, he was
suspended for six months by Mohun Bagan.[45] Bhutia was quoted saying "It is just a ploy to keep me at
Mohun Bagan for another season. But I will not play for them any more."

East Bengal (IV)

"I want to tell the millions of East Bengal supporters that I am going to finish my career here. It is not
going to be a matter of [a] few months but for the rest of my life."

Bhaichung Bhutia, on signing for East Bengal a fourth time.[46]

Bhutia was reported to have officially signed for East Bengal on 22 June 2009, on a one-year contract,
announcing that he would end his playing career at the club.[47] Upon signing for East Bengal, Bhutia
declared it to be his homecoming, "This is really my homecoming. This is the club from where it all
started and it is here where it is going to end."[46] The situation was further complicated, however, as
Mohun Bagan's general secretary Anjan Mitra said "Our contract with Bhaichung is perfectly legal and
he has one more year left with us."[48] Bhutia's lawyer Usha Nath Banerjee countered this, "I doubt the
legality of Bagan's contract. In any case, according to FIFA and AIFF rules, a player who is above 28 years
of age is free to make a choice of club in the third year of his contract".[48] Bhutia and Mohun Bagan
were set to meet on 17 August in the AIFF headquarters to settle their differences with AIFF general
secretary Alberto Colaco.[48] On 29 August, it was announced that the issue had not been resolved yet
and the outbound Colaco was set to meet Bhutia on 30 August.[49] No compromise was reached,
however, and on 5 September former additional solicitor general Amrendra Sharan was appointed to
look into the dispute.[50] On 10 September, Bhutia filed defamation charges, claiming damages of ₹10
million, against Mohun Bagan for "trying to tarnish his reputation".[51] Bhutia was granted interim relief
on 26 September, but the case between Mohun Bagan and Bhutia is set to continue until a final verdict
is reached.[52] On 4 November, it was revealed that Mohun Bagan had approached football's governing
body FIFA to intervene in the dispute with Bhutia.[53]

The start of the 2010–11 season would be without Bhutia until the end of January as the Indian national
team prepared and participated in the Asian Cup from November to January. Though laid low by injuries
in recent months, Bhutia believes he would return next season after taking a three-month break and if
he ever decides to quit, he would do it from East Bengal.[54]

United Sikkim

In 2011, Bhutia joined United Sikkim as coach and Manager.

Final stint at East Bengal

On 12 February 2015 it was announced that Bhutia would return to East Bengal for the final time on a
half-season contract, after which he would retire from professional football.Having retired from India
colours in 2011 against South Korea in the AFC Asian Cup, Bhutia last season said he wished to retire
donning red and gold colours "one last time".

But I don't see that happening. I am really struggling with my knee injury and not in a shape to play the
top-tier I-League for East Bengal. You can say that I am not going to play club again," Bhutia told
reporters at the launch of East Bengal's residential academy in BA-CA ground in Salt Lake.[55][56]

Managerial career

On 13 November 2012, Bhutia was named the interim manager of United Sikkim to replace Belgian
Philippe De Ridder, after the club's heavy 1–10 defeat in an I-League match against Prayag United on 10
November 2012 at the Salt Lake Stadium.[57] In January 2018, leading up to the Santosh Trophy, he was
appointed the manager of Sikkim.[58]

International career

India national team during Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers. Bhutia standing rightmost.

Bhaichung made his senior international debut in the Nehru Cup against Thailand at the age of 19 on 10
March 1995.[59][60] Bhutia scored for India against Uzbekistan in the 1995 Nehru Cup becoming India's
youngest ever goalscorer, at 19.[61] In the 1997 SAFF Championship, India beat the Maldives 5–1 in the
final, Bhutia was responsible for one goal. Two years later, the tournament was held in Goa and India
successfully defended their title by beating Bangladesh 2–0 in the final. Bhutia scored the second goal
for India after Bruno Coutinho opened the scoring and Bhutia was named as the tournament's most
valuable player.[62]

He also netted two goals in the final of the 2002 LG Cup held in Vietnam, in which India beat the host
nation 3–2, Bhutia's goals came either side of half-time.[63] The football tournament of the 2003 Afro-
Asian Games saw India finish as runners-up behind Uzbekistan. Bhutia scored two goals in the
tournament, both of which came in the 5–3 semi-final win over Zimbabwe.[64] In the 2007 Nehru Cup,
Bhutia scored a penalty in a 6–0 victory over Cambodia in the opening match of the tournament.[65] He
also scored in a 1–0 win over Bangladesh[66] and a 3–0 win over Kyrgyzstan.[67] Bhutia played a
significant part in the final as he was involved in the build-up to N. P. Pradeep's winning goal against
Syria during which India won 1–0 to become champions.[68]

The next successful SAFF Championship was in 2005 where Bhutia was captain, in the group stages he
scored a goal in a 3–0 victory over Bhutan but did not score in the other two matches.[69] India
progressed to the semi-finals during which Bhutia played in the 1–0 win over the Maldives.[69] The final
was a repeat of the 1999 final, as Bangladesh were the opposition, and once again India triumphed 2–0
during which Bhutia scored the second goal in the 81st minute from close range after Mehrajuddin
Wadoo's 33rd-minute opener.[70] He received the award for the Most Valuable Player and also the Fair
Play trophy.[70] The 2008 SAFF Championship started with a 4–0 win over neighbouring Nepal, Bhutia
scored the second goal in the 34th minute.[71] It turned out to be Bhutia's only goal of the tournament,
however, he did have several chances to score in the semi-final against Bhutan which saw India win 2–1
to reach the final.[72] In the final, India failed to defend their title after losing 1–0 to the Maldives.
He scored twice in a 2–1 victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup against Turkmenistan to reach the semi-
finals.[73] The Sikkimese Sniper scored a goal in the final against Tajikistan, during which India won 4–1
thanks to a Sunil Chhetri hat-trick; the victory also allowed them to automatically qualify for the 2011
AFC Asian Cup.[74] He was also selected as the most valuable player of the tournament, finishing with
three goals.[74]

The 2009 Nehru Cup was significant for Bhutia, as he earned his 100th cap for India in a 2–1 win over
Kyrgyzstan, becoming the first Indian player to reach this milestone.[6] He also scored the first goal in
this match to help the team recover from their opening day defeat to Lebanon.[75] In the match against
Sri Lanka, Bhutia again scored an opening goal which helped India to win 3–1 and solidified their chances
of reaching the final. He was adjudged as the "man of the match" for his performance.[76] Bhutia
missed the final match of the round-robin, as India were already guaranteed a spot in the deciding
match. He was also adjudged as "Player of the Tournament" for his stellar performances in all of the
matches, including the decider where they beat Syria in a penalty shootout.[77][78]

At the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, Bhutia was injured for their first two games against Australia and
Bahrain, but he came on as a second-half substitute against South Korea, but failed to save India, losing
4–1 as they were eliminated. Shortly after the Asian Cup, he announced his retirement for India on 24
August 2011 with a record of 40 goals in 104 appearances.[79][80][81]

International statistics

[82][83]

India national team

Year Apps Goals

1995 13 5

1996 5 1

1997 10 5

1998 7 0

1999 4 4

2000 1 0
2001 5 2

2002 8 7

2003 5 2

2004 5 0

2005 5 2

2006 9 1

2007 7 3

2008 12 5

2009 5 3

2010 2 0

2011 1 0

Total 104 40

FIFA statistics

Year Apps Goals

1995 7 2

1996 5 1

1997 8 4

1998 5 0

1999 4 4

2000 1 0

2001 5 2

2002 2 0

2003 1 0

2004 5 0

2005 5 2
2006 7 1

2007 7 3

2008 12 5

2009 5 3

2010 2 0

2011 1 0

Total 82 27

International goals

Scores and results list India's goal tally first.[82]

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition

1. 29 March 1995 Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo Sri Lanka 1–0 2–2 1995 SAFF
Championship

2. 2–0

3. 6 March 1996 National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lampur Malaysia 2–5 2–5
1996 Asian Cup qualifier

4. 11 April 1997 Nehru Stadium, Cochin China PR 1–2 1–2 1997 Nehru Cup

5. 7 September 1997 Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu Bangladesh 3–0

3–0 1997 SAFF Championship

6. 9 September 1997 Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu Maldives 1–0

2–2 1997 SAFF Championship

7. 13 September 1997 Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu Maldives 2–0

5–1 1997 SAFF Championship

8. 26 April 1999 Fatorda Stadium, Margao Pakistan 1–0 2–0 1999 SAFF
Championship

9. 2–0

10. 29 April 1999 Fatorda Stadium, Margao Maldives 1–0 2–1 1999 SAFF
Championship

11. 1 May 1999 Fatorda Stadium, Margao Bangladesh 2–0 2–0 1999 SAFF
Championship
12. 15 April 2001 Bangalore Stadium, Bangalore Yemen 1–1 1–1 2002 World Cup
qualifier

13. 20 May 2001 Bangalore Stadium, Bangalore Brunei 3–0 5–0 2002 World Cup
qualifier

14. 10 December 2005 Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi Bhutan 1–0 3–0 2005
SAFF Championship

15. 17 December 2005 Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad Bangladesh 2–0 2–0
2005 SAFF Championship

16. 18 February 2006 Hong Kong Stadium, Wan Chai Hong Kong 2–2 2–2 Friendly

17. 17 August 2007 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi Cambodia 2–0 6–0 2007 Nehru
Cup

18. 20 August 2007 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi Bangladesh 1–0 1–0 2007 Nehru
Cup

19. 26 August 2007 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi Kyrgyzstan 1–0 3–0 2007 Nehru
Cup

20. 3 June 2008 Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Malé Nepal 2–0 4–0 2008 SAFF
Championship

21. 22 July 2008 Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Hyderabad Malaysia 1–0 1–1 Friendly

22. 3 August 2008 Gachibowli Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad Turkmenistan 1–0 2–1
2008 AFC Challenge Cup

23. 2–0

24. 13 August 2008 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi Tajikistan 2–0 4–1 2008 AFC
Challenge Cup

25. 14 January 2009 Hong Kong Stadium, Wan Chai Hong Kong 1–1 1–2 Friendly

26. 23 August 2009 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi Kyrgyzstan 1–0 2–1 2009 Nehru
Cup

27. 26 August 2009 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi Sri Lanka 1–0 3–1 2009 Nehru
Cup

Non-FIFA international goals

# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition

1. 10 March 1995 Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata Uzbekistan U-20 1–0 1995 Nehru
Cup

2. 11 October 1995 Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar Pakistan 2–1 1996 Olympic

Games Qualifier

3. 18 October 1995 Al-Seeb Stadium, Muscat Oman 2–3 1996 Olympic Games
Qualifier

4. 8 April 1997 Nehru Stadium, Cochin Ghana Ghana 'B' 2–2 1997 Nehru Cup

5. 6 August 2002 Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam U-23 3–1 2002 LG Cup

6. 10 August 2002 Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam 3–2 2002 LG Cup

7.

8. 27 September 2002 Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan Bangladesh U-23 3–0
2002 Asian Games

9.

10. 30 September 2002 Yangsan Stadium, Yangsan Turkmenistan U-23 1–3 2002
Asian Games

11.

12. 29 October 2003 Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Hyderabad Zimbabwe 5–3 2003
Afro-Asian Games

13.

Other careers

Entertainment

Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa

In 2009, partnering with choreographer Sonia Jaffer,[84] he won the third season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,
the Indian version of the international series Dancing with the Stars. Bhutia earned Rs. 4 million for
winning the competition, beating Karan Singh Grover and Gauhar Khan in the final.[85] Bhutia donated
half of the prize money to charity and the other half was shared with his choreographer; he also said
some money would go towards areas hit by Cyclone Aila. It was reported that an "SMS Voting Frenzy"
allowed him to win after many organisations in Sikkim conducted mass voting events (this involved
participants buying mobile cash cards so they could vote via SMS) to increase Bhutia's chance of winning
the trophy.[86][87] This performance put Bhutia's relationship with his club Mohun Bagan in jeopardy,
as he missed a friendly, as well as practice sessions, due to his participation in the reality show.[88]
Politics

He has joined the Trinamool Congress and unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from
the Darjeeling constituency.[89]

Bhutia comes from a buddhist background, although he is, by conviction, not religious - in fact an
atheist.[90] The name "Bhaichung" literally means "little brother".[91] He married his longtime girlfriend
Madhuri Tipnis, a hotel professional, on 30 December 2004 in his native village of Tinkitam in South
Sikkim. They filed for divorce by mutual consent in a Bandra Court on in February 2015. His fictional hero
is Howard Roark, a character from Ayn Rand's novel The Fountainhead, and he has a tattoo of a
footballer on his arm.[92][93] The Sikkimese government has built a stadium, the Bhaichung Stadium in
Namchi, the district headquarters, in honour of Bhutia. He is one of the most popular figures in the state
and is considered as a role model to many Sikkimese as well to people from other states of India.[94] On
23 January 2008, Bhutia was nominated for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for his
contribution to Indian football.[95][96] Three days later on 26 January, India's Republic Day, he was
chosen for the Padma Shri along with national swimming champion Bula Choudhury.[97]

He played in the Goal 4 Africa match held in the Allianz Arena, Munich, on 12 July 2008, for the Edu
team, led by Clarence Seedorf, and scored twice.[98] In 2009, Bhutia started a foundation called the
"Indian Sports Foundation" to help footballers overcome serious injuries.[99] He is also the president of
the Football Players' Association of India (FPAI),[99] an organisation that promises "fair treatment" of
Indian footballers by dealing with financial aspects such as pension plans.[100] He formed FPAI after
seeing the Professional Footballers' Association in England.[101]

A crowd of people protesting against the 2008 Olympics. In the foreground there is someone holding up
a white poster which says "What Will The Olympics Stand For This Summer?" in red capital letters at the
top and at the bottom it shows an image of a pair of hands held together by the Olympic rings as if they
were handcuffs.

Bhutia is a supporter of the Tibetan independence movement.

He signed an endorsement deal with Adidas India Marketing Pvt. Ltd in November 2003.[102] Currently
he is endorsing Nike India. After completing the deal to become the brand's ambassador for India,
Bhutia said "I am confident that Nike will help elevate the sport in the country."[103]
In 2008, Bhutia was solicited to run with the Olympic torch in India, but he refused to carry the torch to
show support for the Tibetan independence movement. "I sympathise with the Tibetan cause. I'm
against violence but I thought I should stand by the Tibetan people in their fight," Bhutia said.[104] He
was the first Indian sportsman to refuse to carry the Olympic torch.[104] His actions have won him little
praise from his colleagues in India however, who criticised him for mixing sports with politics.

In 2011, Bhutia was caught in the Sikkim earthquake. Although he was not injured, his United Sikkim
offices were completely destroyed. In the aftermath, he joined with several Bollywood actors like Neha
Dhupia and Rahul Bose to raise money for earthquake victims.[105]

In 2018, after the break up with TMC, he established a new party on May 31. The name of the party is
"Hamro Sikkim Party".

Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools

On 28 October 2010, he started Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in Delhi in partnership with Carlos
Queiroz and Nike.[106][107]

United Sikkim

United Sikkim had decided to shut down as the future of I League was dim due to the formation of ISL