By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 16: The Tibetan National team’s goalkeeper has been awarded the ‘best goal keeper’ honors at the 37th All India Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup in Gangtok’s Paljor Stadium yesterday.
Tenzin Samdup, the young custodian from Mundgod played a big role in the Tibetan team’s win against CRPF Jalandhar in the group stage game, which ended in a penalty shoot out in the favor of the Tibetan team.
In the second match, he went on to keep a clean sheet, making crucial stops, until the 90th minute of the match against decorated Indian club giant, Mohun Bagan. Bagan who many predicted would thrash the Tibetan side only managed a last gasp goal, eventually edging out TNSA team by a goal.
Samdup was also part of the 2017 Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup champion team, Tashiling Himalaya FC Darjeeling that won the top football tournament in Tibetan diaspora earlier in April this year in Kollegal Tibetan settlement in South India.
The young goalkeeper said that he accepts the award on behalf of his teammates and that the tournament in Gangtok will be a springboard in his career as a foot baller.
The Tibetan National football team’s third campaign in the Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup has been the most successful and adventurous foray where the performance of the team has been hailed as a valiant effort by the organizers and fans alike. The Tibetan team reached the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.
The 37th All India Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup concluded yesterday with Mohun Bagan beating Calcutta Customs by a single goal. Other teams such as MS Kalighat, MMC Nepal, ONGC Bangalore among others took part in this year’s tournament.
The Tibetan team is scheduled to take part in the upcoming 2018 CONIFA World Cup in London, deemed by many as its most challenging campaign till date.
