By Tashi
As Gayum Chenmo Memorial football tournament is in the offing, a pre-qualifying match was organized here at Kathmandu by the RTYC on 10-Apr-04. There were four teams that participated, each from the different sections of Tibetan community living in Kathmandu. The four teams were Rangzen Sonza, Swoyambhu youth, Potala United and Norbulingka Sports Club. Out of the four teams, thirteen players will be selected.
Even though such an event might not seem important, as it might be happening all over India at this time of the season, it has a different connotation here for the youths of Kathmandu. For the Tibetan youths here, event like this is a welcome relief. Nepal being a politically sensitive area for the Chinese because of the Tibetan, any kind of political or cultural celebration that the former might find offensive is considered anti-China and hence not allowed. Any kind of gathering in the Tibetan community here has to be followed with caution and furtively. With the Nepalese Government choosing to remain loyal to the Chinese such a situation will continue to prevail.
