Following the conclusion of the Tri-Nation International Friendlies held in Shillong, where Nepal defeated India by 2-1 in the final match of the fixture, the Indian women’s team is all set to face Nepal in an Ind vs Nep exhibition match at the Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The game itself is going to be a historic one since the stadium is officially organizing the international football match in Sikkim’s Paljor Stadium.
Here’s what we know so far about the game.
Ind vs Nep Exhibition Match in Sikkim
Good news for the football fans residing in Sikkim as the city is all set to host its first-ever international football match between Ind vs Nep in an exhibition game at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, this October 29. The match will be organized by the Sikkim Football Association (SFA) and will kick off under the floodlights at 4:30 PM, marking a historical moment for the state.
The particular significance of the Ind vs Nep friendly match is that it marks 50 years of statehood for Sikkim and the recent triumph of the Indian women’s football team, which has qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after a span of more than twenty years. It will attract approximately 25,000 spectators, and thus, this will be one of the largest sporting events ever in the state.
The chief guest will be the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), and he will host both teams to a dinner the night before the match in Samman Bhawan, Gangtok. Purostam Kattel, who is the Secretary General of the South Asia Football Federation, will also be in attendance as a guest of honour.
SUGGESTED READ: Super Cup 2025: Mumbai City and Punjab FC’s dominance
Women referees will also referee the Ind vs Nep match, which underscores the increasing role of women in South Asian football. Interestingly, it is being played on the artificial turf of Paljor Stadium, which is an exception since international matches are never played on such surfaces.
The Indian team, which is ranked 63rd in FIFA rankings, is coached by Kursoong-based coach Crispin Chettri, and Nepal, which is ranked 87th in FIFA rankings, is also in good form as of late. Interestingly, one of the star strikers of India, Anju Tamang, who has been training in Sikkim since her childhood, will be a household name to the local fans. On the Nepal side, major stakeholders are Sabitra Bhandari, who is a player of Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women in Australia, and Preeti Rai, a frequent international participant.
View this post on Instagram
Following the announcement, the President of the Sikkim Football Association, Mr. Menla Ethenpa, expressed his excitement before the Ind vs Nep game, stating, “Sikkim has been preparing for the match since last week, with special attention given to the maintenance of the ground. The hype and atmosphere surrounding the match are incredible. Seeing the enthusiasm of football fans, we decided to make entry free so that football lovers from all corners of Sikkim and neighbouring districts of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and North Bengal can come and enjoy the match.”
Amit Mishra’s Take
From the writer’s perspective, the historic Ind vs Nep match that is going to be played at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, has excited me more than witnessing the Tri-Nation International Friendlies concluded on October 27. With Nepal dominating India in the recent match by 2-1, it would be interesting to see how the Indian women’s football team will retaliate and stand as the best among the two.
Similarly, the match is expected to be one of a kind since the two teams will clash on the artificial turf of Paljor Stadium, which is an exception in international football matches.
YOU MIGHT READ: AIFF Super Cup 2025: Goa’s Football Fiesta
