By Tenzin Phende
Dharamsala, May 31: The 15th Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup Football tournament kicked off here today with an elaborate ceremonial opening at the Tibetan Children Village School.
His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje graced the occasion as the chief guest. Ven Tsering Phuntsok, minister for religion, and Mr. Chope Paljor Tsering, minister of health, justice Thupten Tashi Anyertsang from the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, and Atul Fulzile, the Superintendent of police, Kangra, were also present among other guests.
A symbolic “Thank you India” match was played between TCV united and Kangra district police before the opening game of the tournament.
The first game of the tournament between Trichy FC and RTYC Dekyiling commenced amid thundering cheer from the audience. The match had some nail biting moments as both teams were careful not to exit as the tournament is based on the knockout format. A terrible mistake from the RTYC defenders helped Trichy score a tricky first goal of the tournament as a clearance by a defender struck a Trichy player swinging the ball right into the net beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.
But the jubilation for Trichy was short lived as RTYC Dekyiling got back into the game within few minutes of the second half scoring the equalizer. Minutes later, a penalty was awarded by the referee to RTYC Dekyiling who made no mistake and took the lead. Trichy fans still hoped to get a come back in the game but was left helpless as RTYC Dekyiling scored their third goal making it hard for the college students to get back in the game. Trichy became the first team of the 15th GCMC to be shown the exit despite their endurance and hard work.
The writer is a second year BA journalism students from Madras Christian College currently on internship at phayul.
