When the whole nation is drenched with the most publicised football fever – FIFA World Cup U-17 and India as the host country, a little known but challenging and interesting one – India’s highest Football Tournament is being played by the most amazing footballers of our country, silently in the silver crest of Himalayas in Leh-Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.
This football tournament is one of the world’s highest, highest because of its height above Sea level. All matches are played on football grounds located at about 14500 to 11000 and High Altitude venues of Ladakh, where for a common person it is difficult to breath normally. This low oxygen and low atmospheric pressure of cold dessert of Ladakh makes this tournament the most difficult and challenging football cup in the world. The tournament started on 20th October will end on 30th October.
Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo, Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Hill Development Council inaugurated unique ‘ ITBP High Altitude Football Cup-2017 ‘ in presence of Mr. J.P. Yadav , DIG, ITBP Sector Head Quarter, Ladakh, Deepak Pandey, Sector Commandant and many senior officers of ITBP at the football ground of 5th battalion, ITBP, Leh. Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo, Chief Executive Councillor, the Chief Guest thanked ITBP for organizing such an historical event in the region of Ladakh.He encouraged the youth of Ladakh to enthusiastically participate in such sports event. “ITBP has acted as a great savoir in Ladakh, mainly during the catastrophic disasters like flash hoods in recent past in Ladakh. It will be excellent if the winning team gets chance to play friendly matches with top football teams of India.” he said.
Tsering Angdus,( Executive Councillor, Agriculture), Sh Mumtaz Hussain, (Executive Councillor ,Animal Husbandry), Sh Lobzang Sherap, (Councillor, Khaltse) of Ladakh Hill Development Council & other dignitaries were also present to grace the occasion. Fourty teams from different regions of Ladakh are going to participate in this sport event. An inaugural match was played between United Ladakh Vs Black Yak .
The aim of this football cup is to identify talent in High Altitude of Ladakh and connect them with mainstream teams of India. This unique initiative of ITBP will bring revolutionary changes in the field of sport in Himalaya especially in Ladakh with so much of potential talents.This extraordinary football event is being held for the first time in Ladakh.It is being funded and encouraged by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to promote football and health awareness in the border areas. The event is being organized by Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sector Head Quarter (Ladakh).
An incredibly wonderful initiative at such a location where human habitats are constantly fighting against the cruel whims of nature!! Hope this marvelous piece of journalism draws AIFF ‘s attention in scooping up talents from the distant Himalayas!!!
Thank you Sir, for your valuable comment.