Baichung Bhutia: The former football captain who chose India U-16 over his board exams - India Today

Baichung Bhutia: The former football captain who chose India U-16 over his board exams

Know all about the Indian football star Baichung Bhutia on his birthday.

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Baichung Bhutia
Baichung Bhutia

Bhaichung Bhutia was born on December 15, 1976. A retired Indian footballer of Sikkimese-Bhutia descent, it is said that, what Sachin is to Indian cricket, Baichung Bhutia is to Indian football.

He has twice been the Indian Player of the Year and has been called 'God's gift to Indian football'.

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Awards received by Baichung Bhutia:

  • Arjuna Award for football in 1998
  • Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2008
  • Banga Bhushan award in 2014
  • Asian Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2014
  • IFFHS 48 Football Legend Players, Phase One inductee in 2016

On Bhutia's birthday, here are some facts you should definitely know about the former Indian football captain:

  • Bhutia had always been interested in football but apart from this sport, he also represented his school in badminton, basketball and athletics
  • Bhutia's parents never wanted him to go for a career in sports
  • At a very young age of nine, he won a football scholarship to attend the Tashi Namgyal Academy in Gangtok
  • He won the Best Player award at the 1992 Subroto Cup. This achievement brought him to the notice of the football establishment
  • In 1992, he choose India U-16 instead of ICSE exams
  • At the age of 16, he left school to join the professional East Bengal F.C. in Kolkata
  • Two years later, he went on to win the India National Football League in the 1996-97 season
  • He has been two-time Indian Player of the Year (1995 and 2008)
  • He was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1999 for his contribution to the game of football
  • In 1999, he became the second player to play professionally in Europe and the first Indian footballer to sign for a European club
  • Baichung made his international debut in the Nehru Cup against Thailand at the age of 19
  • In the 1995 Nehru Cup, he became India's youngest ever goal scorer, at the age of 19, in his international debut
  • He also owns the record for most goals in a single match in the National Football league
  • Bhutia participated in the reality show, Jhalak Diklaaja, which he won
  • Bhaichung is one of five footballers to be awarded with the prestigious 'Padma Shree' and the only player to win it during his playing career.

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