The TSAM RANGZEN ROLLING TROPHY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT organized by TSAM and the Reddy family of Chennai, commenced on 21st September and matches were played for 4 days, with 10 teams participating. The evenings were spent in meaningful interaction and discussions of the work being done by the different Student Associations. Two Tibetan films “Wind Horse – Lungta” and “Mountain Patrol”, about saving the Tibetan Antelope were screened. The People for Animals – Chennai Chapter also screened a film about their activities and gave a short talk about compassion to animals.
The Tournament concluded on 23rd September 2006 with a closely fought exciting final between Ooty and Bangalore in which the Ooty team emerged as the winners. However, it was the Bangalore girls team that walked off with the women’s trophy. The runners-up were the Bangalore team for boys and Chennai team for girls. Tenzin Silnon(Ooty) was awarded Best Basketball Player of the Tournament(boys) and Tenzin Kusang(Bangalore) was adjudged Best Player(girls).
The closing ceremony commenced with a march past followed by a welcome address by Yuthog Namgyal General Secretary, TSAM. The Chief Guest Mr.Lakshmipathi Balaji, test cricketer and one of India’s finest pace bowlers was greeted with great applause and enthusiasm by the Tibetan students who had gathered in large numbers at the indoor basketball stadium. He sat through the entire programme for over an hour, asked many questions about Tibet and showed keen interest in the activities of Tibetan students in India. He presented the trophies to the winning teams and Tibet supporter Aunty Aasha Reddy gave away the cash prizes. He greeted them with Tashi Delek and said that he was a basketball player first before he switched to cricket. He touched the hearts of the students with his simplicity and encouraging words. He patiently posed for photographs with the teams and signed autographs too.
As much as the spectators appreciated the stylish display of basketball skills of the players, the very sight of more than 200 Tibetan students gathered in one place struck a chord and evoked an awareness in their minds about the Tibetan situation, about how so many people have been displaced from their motherland.
The evening concluded with a reading of Mr.Lhasang Tsering’s touching poem “Thank You India” which expresses the deep felt gratitude of the Tibetan people towards India. Vote of thanks was given by Ngodup, Treasurer of TSAM.
