The 35-year wait is over. Finally, the ‘East Bengal of Siliguri’ Deshbandhu Sporting Union is the champion of the Super Division of the Siliguri Premier Football League. Deshbandhu Club won the trophy by defeating Netaji Subhash Sporting Club 2-0 at the Kanchenjungha Stadium in Siliguri on Sunday night. The pair of goals were scored by the young hill boy Jemraj Bhujel. He had scored a hat-trick in the previous match. Although the Premier League started with ten teams, Deshbandhu, Netaji Subhash Vivekananda Club and Young Men’s Association advanced to the Super Four.
Deshbandhu is the champion on points. After the match, the footballers, supporters and officials celebrated. The area from the club house to the house was decorated with flags from red and yellow lights. This Deshbandhu Club was established just after independence. Over time, the color of the heart of this club became red and yellow. The identity was created by the name East Bengal of Siliguri. The club has been running for 75 years. Former red and yellow coach Carles Cuadrat arrived in Siliguri and inaugurated the event. The team’s jersey is also similar to East Bengal’s. The club’s working president Anup Basu runs the East Bengal Fans Club in Siliguri.
The team was formed with boys from Siliguri and the hills. Many were kept together for a month. The entire team was formed under the coaching of former club members Shivshankar Das and Ram Saraki. However, Anup regrets, “Local footballers are not coming up like that. There was a tradition of football in Siliguri. It is being lost. If the interest among the boys increases after becoming league champions this time, it will be good.”
