HMV College team crowned champion of second women’s football tournament
By Lobsang Tenchoe
DHARAMSALA, June 8: Hans Raj Mahilla Maha Vidyalaya (HMV) clinched the title of the second women’s football tournament by beating DAND Football Academy (DFA) on penalties at Upper TCV School yesterday.
The final of the second women’s football tournament like its first edition was decided through penalty shootout as the score lines read a goal each for HMV and DFA after the normal time; HMV team then edged out DFA team 6-5 on penalty to take home the title.
The President of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay attended the match as the Chief Guest and presented traditional Tibetan scarves (khatak) to the Tibetan girls selected for the Tibetan women’s team and posed for photographs with the participating teams and organizers.
Thirty five Tibetan girls took part in the tournament representing Tibetan School Girls Team and Tibetan Open Girls Team. The two Tibetan teams also played an exhibition match ahead of the final match between HMV and DFA team.
“Our team was formed few days ahead of the tournament and we don’t have much practice and training coming into the tournament. The girls from the Indian team practiced for 4 hours on daily basis. Now that we have a team selected, more hours of practice and training sessions will lift the standard of our game to beat other teams,” said Tenzin Paldon who has played in both editions of the tournament.
The Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) maintained that the tournament is being organized to empower Tibetan girls and give them opportunity to play and get exposure and experience on the field.
“With little practice ahead of the tournament, our girls (Tibetan) put up a good performance. Since the third edition of the tournament in 2018 overlaps with the men’s GCM tournament, we will try to accommodate the girl’s tournament or post pone it till December,” said Passang Dorjee, Executive Secretary of TNSA.
The second women’s football tournament held over June 4 – 7 at Upper TCV School was organized by TNSA in collaboration with the Tibetan Women’s Association.
