   
 We all know a lot of things about Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni and other such popular sport stars, but how much do you know about our Indian Football Team’s captain – Baichung Bhutia? I know people do not know much about him.
Here are few facts about Baichung Bhutia:
1) Born in remote Tinkitam village, Namchi, in Sikkim on December 15, 1976.
2) In 1992, he choose to India U-16 trails instead of ISCE exams.
3) Was the top scorer of the first ever National Football League (now re-christened as I-League). He scored 14 goals for JCT Mills team and was also was selected Best Player of that Tournament.
4) In 1999, became the first Indian to play professional football in England. (Bury FC — a Manchester-based League One team).
5) Two-time Indian Player of the Year (1995 and 2008)
6) Most Goals for Indian Team, surpassing IM Vijayan – another Legend.
7) Bestowed with the Arjuna Award in 1999 and the Padma Shri in 2008.
8) Scored his 1st Hat trick in 1998.
9) Won inaugural season of I-League.
10) Started United Sikkim FC in 2010.
11) Also played for the Malaysian club Perak FA in 2003.
12) Joined East Bengal at the age of 16 in 1993, after impressing the pundits at Subroto Cup.
13) In 2003, emerged top scorer in the first Asian Club Championship in Indonesia, scoring 9 goals for East Bengal.
14) Also owns the record for most goals in a single match in the National Football league. He scored 5 goals JCT Mills against Mahindra United (1997).
15) Also participated in reality show Jhalak Diklaaja, which he also won.
16) Boycotted Olympic Torch relay to support Tibetan Independence Movement.
17) Sikkim Government honoured him by naming the stadium in Namchi as Baichung Bhutia stadium.
18) Has scored 43 goals for the national team (107 matches).
19) Instrumental in winning AFC Challenge Cup 2008.
20) Played against Manchester United in 2001.
21) In October 2010, he founded Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in Delhi.
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