Bhaichung Bhutia inducted into AFC Hall of Fame

EOI, Delhi/Gangtok, 23 October:  Former Indian Football Team captain Bhaichung Bhutia has been inducted into the Asian Football   Confederation Hall of Fame, according to a Press release by All India Football Federation. The AIFF  said it has received a letter from the AFC General Secretary Daro Alex Soosay confirming Bhutia’s  induction into the AFC Hall of Fame.

The letter read, “The AFC is celebrating its 60th Anniversary in Philippines on November 30 this year, where a joint event will take place to celebrate the Anniversary as well as reward Asia's finest at  the AFC Annual Awards.” Bhutia along with nine other legendary Asian players will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the function. AFC Annual Awards in November will be the inaugural edition and Bhutia is the first Indian to be conferred with the honour.

AIFF president Praful Patel said Bhutia deserves the honour and lauded his contribution to Indian football. "Bhaichung has been the flag bearer of Indian Football in over 100 International matches.  My heartiest congratulations to him! Post retirement, he has been closely associated with AIFF and we expect to work closely for the development of the sport in the country," he said.

Reacting to the news, Bhaichung Bhutia thanked the AFC for the honour and said "It's a great honour  for me. I thank AFC for finding me competent enough. I would also like to thank All India Football Federation for their continuous support as well as my team mates, without whom this would not have been possible," he said. The former Indian football captain also thanked his coaches and all the clubs under which he played. “A special thanks to all my fans for standing beside me. This Award is more for you than me," he added,

Bhutia, also known as Tinkitam express after his hometown in Sikkim, played 107 matched for India from 1995 to 2011 and scored 47 goals for the country. He also played for a number of Indian and foreign clubs, including East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and JCT in India along with FC Bury in England and Perak FA in Malaysia. 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 most capped player, and in the 2009 Nehru Cup he received his 100th international cap.