By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, MAR. 6: The Tibetan women’s football team ‘Tibet Women’s Soccer’ that came into international forefront following their visa rejection by the US embassy in Delhi to attend a football tournament in Dallas, has got a shot in the arm with two support from two prominent US Congressmen. The US lawmakers wrote to the newly appointed US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seeking entry for the team to US for the sporting event.
Congressmen Christopher H. Smith and Thomas McArthur urged Tillerson to review the previous decision and grant entry to the US for the Tibetan Women team to “advance the goals of both US foreign policy and international sports diplomacy” in their letter on March 3.
The letter of plea stated, “This is an opportunity for US to host a team with inspiring story, a group of young women who have overcome huge political and social obstacles to play as a team, in a sport that they love.”
The Dallas Cup where the Tibetan women team has been invited to participate has a record of inviting teams from conflicted areas such as Iraq, Palestine, Ireland and South Africa, among others, in the past and had all been granted entry into the US. The Tibetan team struck a chord with the global outcry over US President Donald Trump’s policy on banning immigrants and crude travel ban executive orders since he was elected a month ago.
“The participation of the Tibet Women’s Soccer (team) in the Dallas Cup will be another important sign that the U.S., and the world community supports the Tibetan people,” the letter further stated.
The Tibetan women’s team managed by Cassie Childers, their American director, was denied US visa on Feb. 26 by the US consulate in New Delhi citing “no good reason to travel to the USA” although having invited as VIP guests by well known football player and manager Gordon Harold Jago to Dallas Cup, one of the most important friendly youth tournaments in the world.
Following the viral international coverage by mainstream media, Cassie Childers wrote in facebook, “The players of Tibet Women’s Soccer want to thank all our supporters and fans. When we huddled on that dusty curb outside the Embassy one week ago, we never imagined the story would go internationally viral and that we would receive so many donations, offers to help, and good wishes from people all over the world. We are all in good spirits. There are many things being put into motion at the moment, and we still have a sliver of hope left. But even if the visas don’t come through, we will keep on going, never giving up.”
Meanwhile, the apex Tibetan sports authority in exile based out of Dharamshala distanced itself from the team which is at the center of the discourse. A statement from Tibetan National Sports Association stated, “The Tibetan Women Soccer team led by Cassie Childers which has been denied visa by the American Embassy, Delhi recently is not affiliated with TNSA program. TNSA has its own women football team.”
