By Tenzin Monlam and Tenzin Phende
One of the most significant sporting events of the exile Tibetan community is back to where it all started. The most coveted football tournament of the diaspora Tibetan community had its ups and downs with only 14 tournaments played so far, despite its 28 years of inception.
It took turns from Doon Valley to the low land of south and finally is back to foot hills of Dhauladhar. Dharamsala has been the prominent venue for the tournament for years. The tournament has come back to its birthplace for many reasons, says Kalsang Dhondup, the head of Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA). It is the fifteenth edition of the tournament since it was started with an individual initiative of an accountant of TCV School Jowo Tsering in 1981, ten years since TNSA has taken over the organizing responsibilities of the tournament. So this year’s tournament is very auspicious and special, says Kalsang, a former physical training instructor at the TCV School.
This year, the tournament will witness the most number of participating teams. Dhundupling FC of Clement town, the defending champions, opted not to defend their title as they are not playing this time.
The tournament ticket is priced at an affordable rate of Rupees 10 for a day and Rupees 100 for the season ticket. This is basically to encourage more people to watch the game, as well as a little income for the organizers to manage the tournament.
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Urgen Thinley Dorjee, will grace the opening ceremony with his presence. Another attraction of this year’s inaugural day is an exhibition match between Kangra District police and T.C.V United. The Kangra District Referee Association will officiate the matches for the entire tournament.
Too many teams and too little time is what worried the organizers. “We need to finish the whole tournament in a span of 10 days as the T.C.V ground will be busy once the school resumes from its summer break,” Kalsang said. This year’s format for the competition is knock out based right from the start thus generating a great deal of excitement and action for the spectators, players and the management.
According to Kalsang, the tournament is a dedication to the great mother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Gyalyum Chenmo.
The tournament kicks off on May 31. Phayul will keep its viewers updated with the latest scores and reports from the largest ever Gyalyum Chenmo tournament till date.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
| Team name | Place | |
| 1. | Dhera Dun | Dhera Dun |
| 2. | TCV United | Dharamsala |
| 3. | Varna F C | Varanasi |
| 4. | Trichy F C | Trichy (Tamil Nadu) |
| 5. | Potala F C | Mundgod |
| 6. | TSAM F C | Chennai |
| 7. | Goa Tibetan Club | Goa |
| 8. | Dasa United | Dharamsala |
| 9. | TIPA | Dharamsala |
| 10. | BST Bir Suja | Bir Suja |
| 11. | Tibetan Homes Foundation School | Mussoorie |
| 12. | Bir United F C | Bir |
| 13. | Tashi Jong F C | Tashi Jong |
| 14. | Kham Khartok F C | Sataun |
| 15. | Dickyiling F C | Dickyiling |
| 16. | Pune F C | Pune |
| 17. | Bylakuppe F C | Bylakuppe |
| 18. | Chauntra United | Chauntra |
| 19. | Tashi Palkhiel Youth Sports Club | Pokhara |
GCM Facts
• In the name of Gyayum Chenmo (Great Mother of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama)
• Started by Jowo Tsering, former chief accountant of TCV in 1981
• 28th years since its inaugural year
• Managed to play only 14 times
• Missed out years: 1985,87, 90-96, 98, 2000-03
• It is the 15th edition played this year.
• 10th time under TNSA
• Kalimpong, Dharamsala and Clement Town are the most decorated with three wins each in their name
• Defending champions not playing this year
• GCM’s budget is Rupees 5 lakh
The writers are second year BA journalism students from Madras Christian College currently on internship at phayul
