By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, April 2: The 22nd Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup football tournament, dubbed the most coveted sporting event of the Tibetan diaspora, kicked-off today in the Doeguling Tibetan settlement, Mundgod, home of the defending champions, the Doeguling Youth Sports Association FC.
Around 3500 people including monks of the two monastic universities packed the newly built stands of the Doeguling Football ground. Gracing with his presence as the Chief Guest was the Gaden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche. Also present were dignitaries including the abbots of different monasteries.
The largest sporting event of the Tibetan Diaspora being held in one of the largest Tibetan settlements marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the settlement in Mundgod.
Kalsang Dhondup, General Secretary of the Tibetan National Sports Association, said that the main objective of the tournament is to bring the Tibetan youth from various places together and build friendship. He also urged the viewers to maintain sporting spirit and discipline, as the tournament would be streamed live. He said, “This year we are live streaming the tournament, which will be watched by people allover the world including Tibetans inside Tibet. Therefore, I urge everyone to behave properly.”
The first match, played between the last year’s winners DYSA Mundgod A and Delhi FC, ended with the final score 1-0 in favour of Delhi FC. The only goal of the first match came from a set-piece as Delhi FC’s forward Pema Lhundup had a clever touch to the ball sending the Mundgod goalkeeper to the wrong direction thus scooping the ball into the net.
Mundgod FC had some close chances to level the game that gave some nail – biting moments for the supporters.
The second game between Choelsum United Kathmandu and Dhargyaling Tezu FC remained goalless in the first half. However, early in the second half Tezu FC, participating for the first time ever in the tournament, took advantage of a weak clearance from a Kathmandu defender, scoring from a fine left footed curler
Kathmandu managed to make a comeback into the game in the dying minutes of the match from a throw, which Tezu defenders failed to clear. Nonetheless, the heroes of the match were the two goalkeepers with some fine saves throughout the match.
