The TCV School stadium in Upper Dharamsala. (Photo credit: tibetansports.org)
The Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School stadium in Dharamsala filled with a crowd eager to watch the 18th Gyalyum Chemo Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament (GCMGC) held between 26 May and 5 June.
At around two o’clock on 26 May after a celebratory opening ceremony, the tournament kicked off with a match between the Tibetan women’s team, TCV Girls Team, and a local Indian women’s team. The packed out game was the first for the official Tibetan national women’s team, and the girls left in high spirits with a 2-0 victory. The tournament has since continued with three fast-paced games per day between Tibetan male teams, including an intense match between Shillong and Chauntra.
For the next week, nineteen clubs from across India and Nepal will compete in a league format tournament, resolving in an eight-team playoff for the Gold Cup and a cash prize. The winners will receive 75,000 rupees, while the runner-ups will leave with a prize of 40,000 rupees. Even the good sportsmen have reason to celebrate with the fair play prize of 10,000 rupees up for grabs.
Famous football players Baichung Bhutia and former New Zealand World Cup player Tim Brown will be among the guests of honor at this year’s tournament.
The Gyalyum Chemo Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament was created in 1981 in memory of the Dalai Lama’s mother. The event aims to preserve the Tibetan-in-exile identity, to promote sports in the community and to create a meeting place for young Tibetan people throughout India.
The crowds have turned out by the hundreds to cheer on the local Dhasa United FC and the favored Shillong, but mostly to demonstrate national pride. Regardless of who brings home the cup this year, it is safe to say that the tournament is an exciting victory for the Tibetan community.
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