Clement Town, June 27: The 13th GCMGC (Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup) Football Tournament 2007 kicked off with an elaborate ceremonial opening function at the Tibetan Nehru Memorial Foundation School, Dhondupling Tibetan Settlement, Clement Town.
The Chief Guest, His Eminence Khenchen Menling Tri Rinpoche of Mendroling Monastery, graced the occasion amidst several other Governmental and non-Government officials. Over three-thousand football fans turned up to watch the grand opening event.
The fourteen participating teams, 13 from India and one from Nepal, marched out one by one with the host team, Dhondupling FC stroding last.
Photo session of team with the Chief Guest was disrupted by a heavy downpour.
Despite torrential shower, the opening match between Varna FC and the defending champion Dhondupling FC moved ahead. Dhondupling FC shot in their first goal as players from both the team struggled with their skill and their dodging speed made sluggish by the unremitting water. Within few minutes, the defending champion added one more goal to their score board. Minutes away from half time Varna FC had their first successful goal reinvigorating their hope to equalize the score.
However, the second half proved more daunting to Verna players as Dhondupling FC scored two more goals. The game ended with 4-1 with Dhondupling winning over Varna.
Though the rain kept lashing, the second match between TCV United and Mundgod FC played on as per schedules. Both the teams literally had to fight with the water ball game. Besides several advancing attempts, none landed in the net, thus ending the game goalless.
Points: Dhondupling FC – 3, Verna FC – 0, Mundgod FC – 1, TCV United – 1
Based on report by Ngawang Yeshi, Secretary, GCMGC 2007 Organizing Committee
