Dharamshala: Shimla United FC lifts the Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup for the first time after knocking down TCB Bir United with a 3-2 scoreline. Dekyiling Tibetan Settlement Officer Dhondup Gyalpo attended the tournament’s final match as the Chief Guest along with a huge number of Tibetan spectators.
The final kickoff of the 26th GCMGC was played between Shimla United FC and TCB Bir United on the 12th of October at the Tibetan Nehru Memorial Foundation (TNMF) School ground. Shimla United FC reached the final after beating the host team, Dhondupling FC, while TCB Bir United became the finalist after upsetting Dekyiling FC in the decisive penalty shootout.
Shimla United FC scored the opening goal, followed by their second goal before the first half. However, TCB Bir United showed amazing fortitude in bouncing back from Shimla United’s early setback. Number 7 of the Bir United equalised the scoreline before a late winning goal from the Shimla FC.
A twelve-day long tournament was played between the ten different teams from Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal, among which, eight teams went on to play quarter final after relegating the two teams with the lowest point in the group stage. Four winners from the quarter final round played in semi final to reach the final. A total of 27 matches were played in the 26th GCMGC. The winner of the tournament was awarded a cash prize of 1.5 lakh while the runner up pocketed One lakh rupees.
Apart from the winner and runner up prize, the best discipline team prize was awarded to Paonta-Puruwala United. The best goalie was awarded to the goal keeper of Shimla United FC while his teammate Rinchen Sangpo was awarded the best player of the tournament. Jayang Lodoe of Bir United was awarded top scorer for netting seven goals in the game.
Thanks to their proper preparation and precaution, the Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) successfully organised the intense sporting event amidst the worldwide Covid pandemic by maintaining proper safety protocols. Before closing the event, TNSA executive director Rinchen thanked staff, referees, commentators, broadcasters and the sponsors of the tournament for their tremendous contributions.