The Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival staged a charity football match in aid of flood rehabilitation in Nepal, with the Consul General of Nepal in Kolkata as Chief Guest
Siliguri, 29 September 2026: The Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival (KTF) 2026 marked its closing day at Sukna Ground with the Campa presents 'Play for Nepal' Charity Match, played in solidarity with the people of Nepal and in aid of flood rehabilitation efforts there. The match brought together East Bengal Veterans and GTA XI before a large crowd, and was followed by two exhibition matches between school students.
The fixture was staged by the Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT) in collaboration with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), and supported by Sukna Games & Sports Association. It was presented by Campa, with a match kit contributed by Hummel India. The match reflected the festival's message that culture connects people, and its wider engagement with neighbouring Nepal, whose delegates took part in KTF 2026 alongside those from Bhutan and Malaysia.
Shri Jhakka Prasad Acharya, Consul General of Nepal in Kolkata, was Chief Guest. Also attending were Shri Md. Tajuddin, Hon'ble MLA, Rajmahal, Jharkhand, and Shri Sudesh Kumar Mahto, former Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Acharya said: "On behalf of the people of Nepal, I thank everyone who came to Sukna today. When families back home are rebuilding after the floods, a gesture like this tells them they are not alone. Nepal and these hills share a border, but more than that, we share a bond."
A Goodwill Ambassador's call
Shri Bhaichung Bhutia, Padma Shri Awardee, Former Captain of the Indian National Football Team and Goodwill Ambassador of KTF 2026, said: "Football has always been the language of these hills, and this festival chose to use it for something that matters. Playing for Nepal is playing for the family. I thank the players, the young athletes and everyone who came out to support this cause."
Shri Smrutiranjan Mohanty, IAS, Principal Secretary, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, said: "The GTA was proud to be part of this initiative. Tourism and sport bring communities together, and Nepal is our closest neighbour in these mountains. When they face hardship, standing beside them is the natural thing to do."
Partners behind the fixture
Shri Masoom Hussain, Sales Head, Reliance Retail (Campa), said: "Campa is proud to present 'Play for Nepal'. Sport can lift a community, and this match was a chance to bring people together for a cause that deserves everyone's support."
Shri Soumava Naskar, Managing Director, Hummel India and SEA, said: "Sport belongs to communities, and Hummel is glad to have played a part in a match with such purpose. Seeing our kit on the field at Sukna, worn by players who came together for Nepal, was a proud moment for us."
About the Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival
Running for over two decades, the Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival is North Bengal's longest-standing tourism platform. An initiative of the Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT), organised in collaboration with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), KTF 2026 was held from 25 to 27 September across Siliguri, Darjeeling, Sonada and Sukna.
