Bringing back the pre-pandemic energy, the veteran football tournament drew a huge crowd in Gelephu this time. After two years break amid the pandemic, the tournament was a big relief for both football enthusiasts and spectators.
Filling the ground with cheers, football fans cheered the team and celebrated the goals. 15 teams took part in the tournament with two teams from Tsirang and Zhemgang districts.
“I feel the huge turnout is because people didn’t have access to sporting events in the last two years amid the pandemic. That’s why people came in droves to witness the tournament,” said Chencho Gyeltshen, a spectator from Gelephu.
“We are thankful to the organisers for initiating such a tournament in the district where such sporting events are rare. Tournaments like this lift the spirit and the mood in the otherwise quiet district,” said Namgay Dorji, another spectator from Zhemgang.
Panbang Dungkhag Veteran team walked away with this year’s Veteran football winner’s trophy. The team took home a cash prize of Nu 50,000.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Sonam Pem