By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, June 1: The apex sports body, Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) welcomed Cassie Childers’ personal initiatives to promote and provide a platform for Tibetan girls football during the announcement of the 2nd Women’s Football Tournament at Hotel Tibet in Dharamshala.
“We appreciate any initiative beneficial for the Tibetan cause. We have always expressed our gratitude towards her work and have congratulated her on the Vancouver trip. However, she is accountable to herself regarding how she runs her team (Tibetan Women’s Soccer) and we are not associated with them in any way,” said the recently-appointed Executive Secretary, Passang Dorjee.
TNSA had earlier distanced itself from Childer’s team following the US Embassy’s denial of visa to her team to participate in Dallas Cup in March. In a press statement, the organization had said that it has its own team and Tibetan Women’s Soccer does not come under TNSA’s program.
The upcoming tournament is scheduled from 4 to 7 June at the Upper TCV School playground is organized in collaboration with the Tibetans Women’s Association this year. It is aimed at empowering and celebrating women’s participation in sports for health and fitness and to create a platform to form Tibetan National Women’s team.
“Another aim is to response to questions arising over the actual Tibetan women’s football team and the tournament represents TNSA, recognized by the Central Tibetan Administration, has its own team,” Passang Dorjee said. Dorjee added that Cassie’s team is welcomed to take part in its future tournaments.
The former executive secretary, Kelsang Dhondup, hinting at a possibility of Gyalyum Chemo Memorial–like tournament for women, said, “It is still under process and the organization is still working on the idea. It is universally fact that women sports are still lacking behind, however, it is encouraging to see more number of Tibetan women footballers are coming up.”
Tenzin Saldon, who is playing for the second time in the tournament, hopes that more people would support the teams and hopes that one of the Tibetan teams would win the tournament. Another player, Tsering Tso, said in her message to every other Tibetan girls: “If you learn with passion, anything is achievable.”
There are two Tibetan teams competing this year along with two Indian teams, including defending champion Khad Football team. Following a league matches the two top teams would play the final on June 7.
