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A rendezvous with Mr. Kalsang Dhondup, the manager of Tibetan National Football Team.
Tibetoday: Will you share us how did you select the Tibetan National football team?
Kalsang: We organized a selection camp at TCV School at Selakui, Dehradhun in September 2006. More than 50 players took part in the election camp. This time we put age limit that the candidates below thirty years can only attend the selection camp.
In response, fifty players attended the selection camp and out of which we selected only 15 players for the conditioning camp. The conditioning camp lasted more than a month. This conditioning camp served dual goals, one for the Sikkim Governors Cup and another for ELF tournament in North Cyprus. We took twenty players for the Sikkim Governor’s cup this year.
Tibetoday: Does Tibet Team participate in any other professional football tournaments in India besides the Sikkim Governor’s Cup?
Kalsang: We are looking for the possibilities but so far we couldn’t due to number of shortcomings, particularly the finance.
uncertainty hinders a lot to our planning, progress and the confidence among our players in particular. So this time is no exception. Three good players had to stay back due to the pass port formalities which couldn’t complete on time.
Tibetoday: Were you satisfied with the performance of your team during the EFL trophy?
Kalsang: Not at all. I always think there is lot of room for improvement. This time I couldn’t pick the best talents among our Tibetan youth since we were not able to hold GCM football tournament this year. Usually, the new talents appear during the GCM tournament, and this is a kind of national football league for Tibetans in exile at the moment.
Besides, we had to miss three good players due to the travel document which couldn’t complete on time. While Tenzin Namgyal, our keeper and the talented mid-fielder Sonam Topgyal, both from Pokhra team withdrawn at the last moment due to their commitment towards their job at a company in Nepal.
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| DECEMBER 10th, 2006 |
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So I had to look for the replacement within a limited period of time which is always not easy when you are going for an international tournament. Initially three players from U.S agreed. However, Ngawang Thinley from Chicago couldn’t make it due to visa problem while Rinam, an ex-dhasa united player from US had to resign due to family problem.
Only Tenzin K. Rampa, a 19 year player from States who plays for Milwaukee Panther Football Team and is a very good player. He plays in forward position. Yet I am satisfied with my boys who performed beyond my expectations in ELF tournament. Compared to the past our team’s performance has improved a lot. Our players can hold on their stamina for the whole 90 minutes in full size playground.
Tibetoday: What kinds of problem come in your way?
Kalsang: The major problem is of course the financial part. It is the biggest drawback which hinders us from providing professional training and facilities to our players who are actually capable enough to compete with international standard. Without sound financial backing, it is impossible to compose a good team. Right now we have Hummel International from Denmark as the official team sponsor. The contract expires in coming December, 2006 and we are negotiating with them for the possible renewal of the contract. The Hummel International gives they royalty of 8% from the profit they earned by selling Tibet team’s uniforms and which is not a huge amount.
Tibetoday: The trophy must have generated awareness on Tibet in North Cyprus?
Kalsang: I would say the kind of media attention that Tibetan national football team had generated in North Cyprus was tremendous. There was news coverage on Tibet team and about Tibet in all most all the national dailies in North Cyprus. Besides, I am honoured to get the chance to speak in television along with the Greenland national football team manager for one and half hours which was transmitted live to more than 110 countries. In addition, I had given interview to local television channel, BBC radio, and even to an Israel documentary film. I think participating in ELF tournament had immensely highlighted Tibet issue and was able to gain coverage in various forms of media.
Besides, we got chance to meet the Prime Minister, the President and the head of the parliament of North Cyprus. I was surprised to learn the kind of respect they have towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their concern towards our Tibetan issue. They were very pleased to meet us.
Tibetoday: Are you planning to hold the next year’s GCM football tournament?
Kalsang: Yes, we do. But it depends on the kind of response we get from the respective football teams in various Tibetan localities across the world.
Tibetoday: Any final comments to our readers?
Kalsang: I would say that the youngsters should give more attention on the basic footballing skills like drippling, ground passing, body movement and ball control in particular. Besides, the physical fitness and stamina is the key to become a good player. So if you are looking to play competitive football then you need to keep in mind the basics I mentioned here.
Lastly I would request individuals, co-operates and business organizations to come forward to sponsor our Tibetan national football team and help us to take our standard to the higher level. Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank Tibetan Bureau Office in New Delhi for the support we have been getting so far.
Earlier this year Tibet National Team participated in the FIFI (Football International Federation of Independents) Wild Cup tournament which was being played in Hamburg, Germany. Though Tibet team could not make to the top but it has won scores of fans and has been dubbed “winner of hearts by the spectators of the tournament