By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, September 27: The first ever major basketball tournament of the Tibetan diaspora kicked off today with 12 teams from various Tibetan teams from India and Nepal participating in the tournament at the Gangchen Kyishong basketball ground.
The sporting event is organized by the CTA’s Department of Health in collaboration with the Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) and Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) to raise awareness against Tuberculosis (TB).
Tsegyal Dranyi, Secretary of Department of Health, presided over the inaugural function as the Chief Guest. “First of all through this tournament we aim to raise awareness about TB and secondly to encourage fitness in our community through sports such as basketball and football tournaments,” the Secretary said.
Changing with time, CTA views ‘Tibetan Basketball Tournament vs TB’ as a unique way of raising awareness about health issues, which usually is achieved through public talks by experts and doctors.
Karma Tashi Rabten of Pokhra, Nepal said, “It is different from what we have been seeing in terms of raising awareness against TB back home, which includes experts speak on the illness. This is refreshing to see them use sports to spread the awareness and it would be great if it continues.”
Northeast Yak consisting of nine players from Darjeeling and one from Rawangla took part in the tournament despite facing over three months’ shut down in the region. Tenzin Luksang said, “We came here to win, but that is not our first motive. We want to take this opportunity to know and to make acquaintance with other players. Since this is the first GCM-like tournament for basketball, we are all excited.”
The tournament is participated by teams from Bylakuppe, Mundgod, Dharamshala, Bir, Delhi, Ladakh and Dharamshala. The final of the tournament will be played on October, coinciding with the Gandhi Jayanti, birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Northeast Yak lost by three points against Mundgod in a tough match with a final score of 39-42 in favor of team from south. Team Sarah thrashed Pokhra with thumping score line of 59-19. Team from Delhi lost against Ladakh (34-19). The last match of the day saw an impressive performance by Lugsam outscoring team from Clement Town by 43 points (63-20).
