Second women’s football tournament to kick-off on June 4, Dharamsala to host 24th GCM tournament

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, June 1: Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) at a press conference held earlier today in Dharamshala announced that the second women’s football tournament will be held at Upper TCV School on June 4 in collaboration with the Tibetan Women’s Association.

“The 2nd women’s football tournament, a league-cum knockout tournament featuring four teams – two Indian girls teams and two Tibetan girls teams – will be played over June 4 – 7 at Upper TCV School. The teams include Khad team (defending Champion), Tand team, Tibetan school girls team and Tibetan open team,” Passang Dorjee, the new Executive Secretary of TNSA said.

18926329_1541292639248474_395258400_oIn an apparent upgrade from last year, the tournament features two instead of one Tibetan girls team and the live webcast of the tournament will be made available on line as well.

The Mayor of Dahramsala will attend the tournament as the Chief Guest which will kickoff at 3 pm on June 4. The President of Central Tibetan Administration(CTA) Dr Lobsang Sangay will attend the final match of the tournament as the Chief Guest on June 7.

“The tournament is open to all Tibetan girls, provided they can furnish the Green Book with tax paid in complete. Some (3-4) girls from Cassie’s Tibetan Women’s Soccer will also take part in the tournament,” Passing Dorjee added.

Kalsang Dhondup, former Secretary of TNSA made it clear that Cassie’s Tibetan Women’s Football Team who were denied visa to the US has no recognition from the CTA and TNSA.

“Cassie has a Tibetan women’s football team, its well known. Its been often asked weather TNSA has a team on its own, well we do. Though the standard of the team may differ, we have our own team. Cassie worked with TNSA from 2012 – 2015. Then she formed a team of her own since 2015,” he said.

18870832_1541292629248475_386700262_nThe sports association also announced that Dharamsala will host the 24th GCM football tournament to be played in 2018 and its plans to host a parallel women’s GCM football tournament with the existing men’s tournament in the future.