It’s not often that this small town, located in one of the most interior parts of the eastern zone and encircled by tea gardens, gets to host big sporting events.

Perhaps that’s why Silchar, especially the Satindra Mohan Dev Memorial Stadium, was buzzing with activity on the eve of the 31st Federation Cup football tournament. There were also a few curious faces at the Silchar airport’s arrival lounge

and the reason was, well, the unfamiliarity of the place. “How is the place? Is it very cold, or is the climate similar to Kolkata,” asked East Bengal’s Mehrajuddin Wadoo before boarding the flight.

His East Bengal and India teammate, Bhaichung Bhutia, who hasn’t played that many games in the season, then took over. “I have been here once, but that was more like a stopover, on my way to Aizwal (Mizoram),” he said.

Bhutia, who has won just one Federation Cup in his career, with former club Mohun Bagan last year, was however, focused on the task at hand. The India skipper has gone through a turbulent time after his fall-out with Mohun Bagan. The injury he suffered before East Bengal’s 3-5 league defeat to Mohun Bagan on October 25 only added to his wound.

Without a game after that derby defeat, Bhutia would be keen to use this tournament to come back to form. “It is an important tournament not only for the team but for myself also as I haven’t played much this season,” Bhutia said.

Churchill upbeat

Churchill Brothers were confident as usual. “We are going to Guwahati from here,” said Gouramangi Singh, clearly suggesting that the team is thinking of a semi-final berth even before kick-off.

Interestingly, the India stopper had sounded similarly confident prior to their triumphant run in the last edition of the Durand Cup. Churchill Brothers lived up to Gourmangi’s words by winning the tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi and he is sure his teammates will once again rise to occasion.

The reigning I-League champions, who arrived here late on Sunday evening after a flight delay in Mumbai forced them to miss their connection from Kolkata, start against HAL on Monday. Mumbai FC will take on Sporting Clube de Goa in the opening day’s second match.

Monday’s matches

Churchill Brothers vs HAL

Mumbai FC vs Sporting Clube