One of the greatest footballers ever to don the Indian football team jersey, Bhaichung Bhutia celebrates his 47th birthday today. Nicknamed the ‘Sikkimese Sniper’, Bhaichung enthralled fans with his impeccable finishing and prolific shooting skills. Bhaichung, who represented both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, has set innumerable records during his illustrious professional career.
Bhaichung is the first Indian to be inducted into the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Hall of Fame. He achieved this feat in 2014. Bhaichung made his professional debut for Kolkata giants East Bengal in 1993. As Bhaichung Bhutia celebrates his 47th birthday today, we take a look at his career stats and some of his interesting facts.
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A Legacy of Records, Inspiration, and Indian Football Glory
- Born in a small village of Tinkitam in Sikkim in 1976, Bhaichung Bhutia set some of incredible feats that no one could ever dream of doing back then.
- From a appearing in the ‘Calcutta Maidan’ as a youngster to becoming one of the flagbearers of Indian football, it has certainly been a memorable journey for Bhaichung.
- Legendary footballer IM Vijayan described Bhaichung as “God’s Gift to Indian football.”
- In international football, Bhaichung Bhutia made his debut in 1995.
- He soon became one of the mainstays of the Indian football team and handled the leadership duties as well.
- He has won the SAFF Championship thrice- 1997, 1999, 2005 and the Nehru Cup in 2007 and 2009.
- In club football, he has netted more than 100 league goals.
- Bhaichung Bhutia announced his retirement from international football in 2011.
- In a bid to pay him tribute, a match was held for Bhaichung in 2012 against European giants Bayern Munich.
- Bhaichung eventually featured in his final match for United Sikkim in 2015.
- He has been honoured with prestigious awards like the Arjuna Award (1998), the Padma Shri (2008) and Padma Bhushan (2014).
Interesting Facts
- Bhaichung Bhutia was the first player to score a hat-trick in the Kolkata derby. Bhaichung set this record in the Federation Cup semi-final in 1997 while representing East Bengal against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan. East Bengal had gone on to win that contest by an emphatic margin of four goals to one.
- Bhaichung also holds the record for the most number of goals (19) in the history of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan rivalry.
- Bhaichung Bhutia is also the first-ever Indian footballer to sign a professional contract with a European club. Bhaichung achieved this milestone after joining English side Bury FC back in 1999.
- Bhaichung is the first Indian player to have a football stadium named after him even when he was an active footballer.
- He is also known as the Sikkimese Sniper.
