Football is a religion in Brazil, they say. Football is the most popular game in many countries but not in a country like India where cricket is the king of sports. However, the Tibetans who lived in India for more than 45 years have escaped the cricket mania and embraced the football craze. The Tibetan National football team is poor financially but it is rich in spirit. This year just before the world cup begins in Germany, the Tibetan squad leaves for Hamburg where a mini world cup is arranged for countries denied a spot by the world football governing body FIFA. The squad is in Delhi getting prepared to leave for Germany. Phayul’s Tenzin Dasel caught up with the manager of the Tibetan squad Kalsang Dhondup, excerpts…………………
Phayul – You are taking part in a football tournament dubbed by many as the mini world cup. How do you feel to be able to play in a tournament like this?
Kalsang Dhondup – It is not a mini world cup, instead it is known as FIFI Wild Cup. Since 1999 Tibetan National Team has played at different levels. We played against football clubs and we also participated in some major tournaments. For instance, we twice played in Sikkim’s famous Governor’s Gold Cup which is considered a high level tournament. And we also played an international match against Greenland. And this tour is very special my young squad and myself as this is the first time in our history that we get to compete with 4 countries not recognised by FIFA in the FIFI Wild Cup.
Phayul -You lost 4-1 to Greenland a few years ago, could we see the opposite this time?
KD -To tell you about the performance of the squad, result and score line of the games is very difficult. The reason is that we are not able to keep the players for whole year. This present camp, for example, is a very short one. To keep these players we have to consider our cost. So finance is our biggest challenge at the moment. We have to decide how many players could be accommodated within the strict financial restrictions. We have to think about their air-tickets, lodging and food in Europe. And the second reason is we need to give travel allowance and daily allowance to the players during our camps. We have to spent money for visa fee etc. So, we incur expenses around 3 to 4 lakh rupees. For that reason we have to see whether our sponsors can meet up with these requirements. Just to give you an instance, last year our sponsor agreed to pay the whole expenses of a camp but till now we haven’t received a single penny from them. But it takes us so long to receive money and tournament is draws nearer and nearer due to which the camp this time was a short one. A good thing is that we had already informed the players to be prepared for the tournament as we may have to participate in the tournament. So, some of these players are fit and others are still facing problem with their physical fitness. I am so sure that players in Europe are much physically fit and stronger than us. Their stamina and pace is tremendous. When we traveled to Greenland last time the match we played was quite good but the score line was little bit disappointing. The only reason was their physical fitness. Otherwise I don’t think so they were a much better side than us. So, compared to my last squad I think this one is slightly better in terms of physical fitness. One more thing I am taking 18 players from India and 4 players will join us from Europe and 1 from USA. But we are going to see their game when we reach Hamburg. If they play well they will be surely in the starting eleven.
Phayul – How strong is the Tibetan National Football tournament financially? Do you receive help from the Tibetan exile government?
KD – We did not ask for financial help from our government because ours is an exile government which is not financially in a position to help us. So, what we did was that we asked Tibetan association in Europe and US to contribute their support regarding finance. Tsedor lak from Switzerland has agreed to support with 1 lakh rupees in 3 years. And we received 2000 US dollars from seven associations in USA. It is really difficult to get financial backing for our team.
Phayul – The players do not usually spend time together in one camp, they gather only if there is a match or tournament coming up. Do you think this will be able to make a strong team?
KD -I think there is no correct balance and combination in the team at the moment. Some of them are really good. It indicates to us whether they usually practice or not. Once they join the camp we get to know their physical fitness. So, when we are working on fitness some of our players receive injuries. At the moment I have 3 injured players. I am not sure whether these players will be able to play but I am positive at the moment. So the team balance is indeed weak.
Phayul -Do you have plans to hire professional coach for the team?
KD-It is not that we haven’t tried to hire foreign coaches for our team. There are 2 Tibetans who are qualified coaches and presently work in SAI (Sports Authority of India). We tried to get them to strengthen our team. Unfortunately, SAI rules and regulations do not allow this. Then we tried to send Mr. Dawa Gyaltsen to do NIS courses from SAI in Patiala but we couldn’t meet with requirements. The good thing is that 2 men from Europe are willing to coach the team. One is from England and the other from Hungary. Again there is a problem, money. We told them that we can’t give the salary that they get in Europe and that we can’t pay for their air tickets. There is no problem of lodging and food once they reach here. We are still in touch with them. We hope their service will be available for the Governor’s Gold cup in Sikkim in September and then non FIFA countries’ tournament in North Cyprus.
Phayul – How important is the tournament politically?
KD – I think the main reason for our sponsors to invite us is because of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the second reason is that we don’t have our nation. People want to show their support to us. As I told you earlier, the mere participation of our team and to represent Tibet in a tournament in itself is something that is more than a dream for us.
Phayul – How many international matches have your team played so far?
KD – The first international match was in the year 1999 in Bologna against Dynamo Rock group. It was not a competitive match but more of an entertainment event to publicise Tibet. The actual international match was played against Greenland on 30th June 2001. We also played against Hummel All Star in Denmark and a few clubs in Germany. So, I think this is the first major international tournament and we are excited.
Phayul – Do you have any plans to include Tibetan living abroad?
KD – We have asked to recruit players in Europe and USA. I have asked to include good players especially from Switzerland. As of now we have no such plans to hold camp or tournament in Europe to recruit boys. We receive mails from players who are willing to play in our team and we have responded to them accordingly. They have to arrange for their own expenses. I think they consider it an honour and a privilege to be in a team that represents Tibet.
Phayul – Who are the stars to watch in your squad?
KD – I think Sonam Rinchen from Pokhara is exceptionally good. He has got skill and pace that make him different from others. Like wise, Sonam Topgyal is very good player. And yes, we have our old star against Greenland in 2001, Lobsang Norbu popularly known Lobo. He is still in the squad. His pace is tremendous. I think these 3 players will make difference.
Phayul – What is your biggest challenge to have a strong team? What are you going to overcome the problems?
KD -To build a strong team, I feel that players must be strongly committed. There must be a strong support from the government and our community. And the most important of all is fund. By government support I mean that our players who work in institutes and organisations should be released when called by the Tibetan National Football Association. When we need these players during our team tours, it is very difficult to get permission for them from their institutions. So, in order to overcome that problem I urge our government to encourage institutes and organisations to release these players on time.
We still believe that many good players are not in the team. I tell my players that there may be major changes in our team later on. We are going to make an announcement that anyone who has the capabilities can come and test themselves to be in the team.
Phayul – Will we see Gyalyum Chenmo Gold Cup in the future?
KD- Not withstanding some unfortunate incidents of last year’s GCM we are very positive to hold the tournament this year. We have even searched for the venue. We even had an order from our President to make it possible this year also. We made an announcement on 30th Oct 2005 and also on our onw website ( www.tnsa.info). this announcement was actually for those who want to take part in GCM for the very first time. We even informed the 7 clubs who were not able to meet the requirements the previous year. Apart from TCV club and Establishment 22 all 16 clubs have been asked to confirm their participation. The only 2 clubs who confirmed their participation are Dekyiling FC and Tashi Jong.
Phayul – Thank you for your time and all the best.
