TIBETAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM: A PROPOSAL
CONTACT:GUY LIEBERMAN OR MARK MOORE OR THINLEY NORBU
DHARAMSHALA MANDALA
KARERI COMPLEX (2ND FLOOR)
DALAI LAMA TEMPLE ROAD
MCLEODGANJ DHARAMSHALA (HP)
176219 INDIA
TEL: 91189221296/21252
FAX 91189221252
INTERNET EMAIL: tyc@dsala.tibet.net or guy@dewachen.co.za
or diir@dsala.tibet.net
PROPOSAL FOR TIBETAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
INTRODUCTION:
The establishment of a Tibetan National Football Team (TNFT) has arisen as a
multifaceted proposal, with the exposing of authentic Tibetan sovereignty
as its fundamental purpose. Sport is one of the largest institutions in the
world. The keenness ordinary citizens share when local, provincial or
national sporting teams engage in competitive matches is a clear indication
of the general popularity of sport.
REASONS FOR ESTABLISHING THE TNFT:
* By establishing TNFT, one would not expect the Tibetan team to aim to win
the World Cup. The reason for the establishment of such a team is to
advertise a basic fact to a majority of the world's citizens; that the
nation of Tibet actually does exist. The team itself would have no political
agenda, i.e. no slogans would be shouted by the players, no signs advocating
freedom etc. The very existence of such a team would make a strong enough
statement of sovereignty.
* As a forum for solidarity amongst Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet:
The TNFT could act as a unifying force extending beyond any boundaries that
may hope to divide the Tibetan people from within.
* As an inspiration to Tibetan youth in general: The aspirations of those
who may wish to make the team, or become involved on an administrative level
etc. To offer a new avenue whereby young Tibetans could engage themselves in
the sporting world, and thereby inadvertently work for the cause of Tibet.
* The TNFT would be something all Tibetans, from all regions and viewpoints
could identify with and take pride in.
INITIAL STEPS:
The team would be selected from within the exiled community. Due to the
obvious reason that those inside Tibet would not be allowed to support any
activity advocating the separate identity of the Tibetan people, one has no
choice but to accept this.
It should therefore be the responsibility of an administrative body within
the GovernmentinExile or the exile community at large (e.g.: the Tibetan
Youth Congress or Tibetan Children=D5s Village) to initially oversee the
selection and formation of the TNFT. This would be until such time that the
TNFT itself could become an autonomous wing under the larger body of the
Central Tibetan Administration.
An international advisory committee with experience in this regard would
therefore be called in to aid in the establishment of the TNFT and all its
component parts. A selection committee would therefore manifest through this
process.
SELECTION OF PLAYERS:
The selection process would be the job of the selection committee. The team
members should be chosen from the entire Tibetan exile community, regardless
of any political affiliations. Those Tibetans living in the West would
naturally be included in the selection process. The initial, or senior team,
could be selected through the revived Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup
Football Tournament, hosted on the TCV grounds, upper Dharamshala, from the
1st to the 10th of June, 1997. Due to the short notice of this proposal, the
present selection committee will be formed as an ad hoc group and not be the
final steering committee.
We are therefore presented with a rare opportunity to engage in the
initiation of the TNFT very soon.
The long term proposal would be that the selection committee have two teams,
the senior and junior teams, consisting of fifteen players each with the
appropriate administrators and facilitators. The point of division would be
at the age of 18. The Tibetan schools would be the basis for the selection
of the junior team. The overall management would remain under the same
administration and continual selection process.
SPONSORSHIP:
Sponsorship would be sought from the appropriate Indian agency, or an
international group. The programme would entail a full time commitment from
the players, administrators and facilitators. This would include pay,
housing facilities and health care benefits. Training programmes and
administrative schedules would be formulated at a later stage by the
management committee on the basis of the functioning constitution existing
within the national and international football clubs.
The immediate sponsorship programme aimed at accommodating the first year of
the TNFT is being looked into at this time. The long term plan for the
maintenance of the TNFT can be worked out with the help of Tibet supporters
and sporting federations around the globe.
CONCLUSION:
The creation of the Tibetan National Football Team may well make a deep
impression on millions of people throughout the world, regarding the plight
of the Tibetan nation. The overall proposal and actual manifestation of this
project can effect the hearts and minds of all sympathisers to the Tibetan
cause.
