The team will set out for Sikkim on Oct 5 for the Governor's Gold Cup knock-out tournament in Ganktok, Sikkim, which they won two seasons ago beating Calcutta's Mohun Bagan in the final on penalties.

The National Football League fifth-placed side will feature directly in the quarter-final league of the Durand Cup in New Delhi where they made the semifinals last season before losing to Mohun Bagan. Air-India play their first match on Oct 22.

Coach Bimal Ghosh is upbeat on the trip despite the gruelling travel ahead which involves change of flights at Calcutta and Siliguri. ``Apart from defender Jacinto D'Silva's knee injury, the team is fit and ready,'' Ghosh, who savours the 1996-97 triumph, said.

``However I must do a juggling act with the National list players coupons, keeping in mind the NationalFootball League which commences in December,'' Ghosh, voted best coach last year, added.