GCMGC 2007 FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Dhondupling, Clement Town

A BRIEF REPORT: DAY 1

Chief Guest, Minling Khenchen Rinpoche, delivering speech flanked by Ten Kyab Lama

The 13th GCMGC (Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup) Football Tournament 2007 was kicked off with an elaborate ceremonial opening function at the Tibetan Nerhu Memorial Foundation School, Dhondupling Tibetan Settlement, Clementon Town. The Chief Guest, His Eminence Menling Khenchen Rinpoche of Mendroling Monastery, graced the occasion amidst a galaxy of officials representing various Governmental and non-Government agencies and over three-thousand odd people turned up to witness the opening event. The fourteen participating teams, thirteen from various parts of India and one from Nepal, marched out one by one in alphabetical order of their names except the host team, Dhondupling FC, who strode last. A brief introduction was given by Venerable Ten Kyab Lama, former Member of Tibetan Parliament in exile and member of the GCMGC 2007 Organizing Committee followed by the speeches of Dehradun Tibetan Welfare Officer, the Chief Guest and the Vice-Chairman of the Organizing Committee. The opening function was concluded with group a photo session with the Chief Guest with each team albeit had to discontinue due to heavy rainfalls.

Despite torrential downpours the first match was played between Varna FC and the defending champions, Dhondupling FC. Both the teams had a tough time playing under heavy and unremitting rainfalls. The defending champions scored the first goal and after a few minutes one more goal was added to their score board. Minutes away from half time Varna FC had their first successful goal reinvigorating their hope to equalize the score. However, after the half-time play Dhondupling FC scored two more goals doubling their score sheet and Varna FC could not concede any goal. The final results were: Varna FC 1 and Dhondupling FC 4

Though the rains continued incessantly the second match was played between TCV United and Mundgod FC as per schedule. Both the teams literally had to fight against the wrath of ‘mother nature’ besides competing with each other aggressively. There were several attempts on both sides but not a single attempt could be converted into a goal. The final whistle blew with goalless match and both the teams could not carry the day but got one point each.