17 Sikkim footballers call PM Modi meeting 'unforgettable' after friendly match in Gangtok
Synopsis
Seventeen young footballers from Sikkim walked away from a rare encounter with PM Modi at Gangtok calling it unforgettable. Beyond the novelty of the friendly match, what stood out was their emphasis on Khelo India — a government scheme that is quietly reshaping grassroots sports pathways across India's north-east. For these players, the Prime Minister's presence validated both their ambitions and the state's investment in youth athletics.
Key Takeaways
17 young footballers from Sikkim played a friendly match with PM Narendra Modi at Lok Bhawan, Gangtok on 29 April .
Players from Namchi and adjoining districts participated, calling the experience "once-in-a-lifetime." Prekila Tamang , Ishan Majhi , Gyurmi Tamang , and others praised the interaction as warm and informal.
Multiple players highlighted the Khelo India scheme as instrumental in their sporting development, citing age-group categories.
Players expressed commitment to representing India at the Olympics following the encounter.
A group of 17 young footballers from Sikkim on 29 April described their interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "unforgettable" after playing a friendly football match with him during his recent visit to Gangtok. The encounter at Lok Bhawan brought together players from across the state, including Namchi and adjoining districts, for informal conversations on sports, fitness, and youth development alongside the match.
Players share their experiences
Prekila Tamang, speaking on behalf of the group, called it a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." She said, "Yesterday, we got a chance to play with PM Narendra Modi. It was an honour for us to meet him, and it was a great experience for us. We are very happy and lucky... It was such a nice, amazing experience that we will never forget in our lives." The 17-player contingent included one referee.
Ishan Majhi expressed aspirations beyond the moment, stating, "PM sir has given us opportunities… We played well, gained valuable experience, and will strive to represent India at the Olympics. Thank you to PM sir and CM sir for this great opportunity."
Government schemes highlighted
Gyurmi Tamang underscored the role of state-backed initiatives, saying, "I feel the Khelo India scheme is very useful for us. It categorizes us into Under-17, Under-14, and Youth Games." Sherin Lepcha echoed this, noting that the government has "launched several schemes, such as the Khelo India Programme, which are highly beneficial and specifically designed to support and encourage the youth of our nation."
Gratitude to state leadership
Deepen Rai credited Sikkim Chief Minister for facilitating the encounter. "First of all, I would like to thank our Chief Minister for giving us the opportunity to play a friendly match with our Prime Minister. It was an incredible experience, and he was very friendly with all of us," Rai said. The players characterised the interaction as warm and informal, marking a rare moment in their sporting careers.
What's next for the players
The footballers have signalled intent to leverage this exposure and government backing toward higher competitive goals. With Khelo India providing structured pathways through age-group categories, the cohort from Sikkim now has both motivation and institutional support to pursue elite-level representation.
Point of View
What mattered to these young athletes was institutional backing — structured pathways, age-group competition, and government support. This interaction underscores a shift in how India's grassroots sports are being resourced, particularly in smaller states. Whether this translates into medal counts or simply sustained participation remains to be seen, but the enthusiasm suggests the scheme is reaching its intended audience.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many footballers from Sikkim played with PM Modi?
17 young footballers from Sikkim, including players from Namchi and adjoining districts, participated in the friendly match with PM Modi at Lok Bhawan in Gangtok on 29 April.
Where did the friendly match take place?
The match took place at Lok Bhawan in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, during PM Modi's recent visit to the state.
What did the players say about the experience?
The players described the encounter as unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime. Prekila Tamang said it was "an honour" and "a great experience," while others praised the Prime Minister for being friendly and informal during the match and conversations.
Which government scheme did the players highlight?
Multiple players, including Gyurmi Tamang and Sherin Lepcha, praised the Khelo India scheme, citing its structured age-group categories (Under-17, Under-14, Youth Games) as beneficial for their sporting development.
What are the players' aspirations after this encounter?
Players like Ishan Majhi expressed commitment to representing India at the Olympics, citing the experience and opportunities provided by government support as motivation for their future athletic pursuits.
