Dhasa UTD beat Dhondupling FC 2-1 to win maiden GCM Cup title
DHARAMSALA, 12 June: Dhasa UTD FC beat Dhondupling FC 2-1 to clinch its first Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup (GCMGC or GCM) title.
Appearing in the GCM final for the fifth time(1981, 1983, 1997 and 2003) at the 28th GCM, the local team from here defeated the defending champion from Clement Town Tibetan settlement.
The two teams fought neck to neck throughout the 90 minutes of the normal game time which was played at the Upper TCV School ground, packed to the brim as thousands of Tibetans and non-Tibetan enthusiasts of the beautiful game watched the final match.
Into the eighth minute of the extra time, Tenzin Choeying(97 min) from Dhaka scored from close range and took the lead. Tenzin Tsering doubled the lead in the 107th minute. While Tenzin Choedak from Dhondupling FC converted a goal from the penalty spot, it was too little too late as Dhasa FC won their maiden GCM Cup with a 2-1 goal lead.
Having won the title six times, Dhondupling FC is one of the most decorated teams in the most prestigious tournament in the Tibetan community. The team also made it to the finals for a record 12th time at the tournament.
Tenzin Tsering of Dhasa United FC was adjudged the player of the tournament while Tenzin Lhakpa(9 goals in 4 matches) from TIPA FC won the golden boot. Tenzin Rabgar of Dhonupling FC was awarded the best Goalkeeper of the tournament. TCV United, who fielded the youngest team of the tournament won the fair play award.
Kalsang Restaurant and Cafe sponsored the first Prize money(2,00,000 rupees ) for the winner while Mila Group from Delhi, Snow Region Tours & Travels and Sarang Cafe collectively sponsored the cash prize(1,50,000) for the runner-up.
A total of 16 teams participated in this year’s tournament held from 1st – 11th June at the upper TCV football ground here.
The GCM Gold Cup tournament is played annually in memory of the great mother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. GCM football tournament was first held in 1981.
Though the tournament was organised by various bodies for more than twenty years, Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) took charge of organising the tournament annually since 2003.
Based on the performance in the GCM tournament, TNSA selects players for the Tibetan National Team which occasionally competes in tournaments held in India as well as foreign countries.
