DHARAMSHALA, October 2: The Lugsum Tibetan basketball club has won the maiden Tibetan club basketball championship against TB, organized by the Tibetan National Sports Association, department of health of the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan Youth Congress today at Ghangchen Kyishong.
The president of the Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay, minister for security Phagpa Tsering, education minister Ngodup Tsering, health minister Choekyong Wangchuk, MP Pema Jungney attended as guests for the final game played between Lugsum and Tibetan Dekyi Larsoe teams. Sikyong jokingly said in his address that whoever wins the game, the cup is going to Bylakupee anyways.
However, the final score of 47 by Lugsum against 35 by TDL reflects the poor standard of the game that is second in popularity to football in the Tibetan Diaspora.
Lugsum took early lead by a margin of 14 points in the first quarter, and maintained the advantage throughout the game despite attempts by TDl to come back into the game.
Five personal foul to TDL captain Lhakpa came as a huge blow for the trailing team. Lugsum’s captain known for his accuracy in 3 pointers helped his team protect their lead throughout all four quarters of the game.
Lugsum’s star player Rinchen got 7 free shots for shooting fouls and team foul but managed to convert only one thereby missing 13 points. However, as the game drew towards the end, all hopes of TDL getting a comeback into the game looked slim.
The winner gets fifty thousand Rupees and a trophy while runners up gets thirty thousand Rupees and a trophy. Team Sarah was adjudged the fair play team of the tournament and awarded five thousand Rupees.
