– Norbu Samphell
Chicago, July 5, 2006: In conjunction with HH the Dalai Lama’s day celebration Tibetan Communities in Midwest region of USA had cultural festivity, picnic and the 9th Pawo Thupten Ngodup memorial soccer Tournament and Basketball. Girl’s Basketball and Talent show were new additions this year. It was held from July 1st to 4th. Games in day time and cultural presentations, and talent show were held in the evenings.
The participating Communities were from Minnesota, Medison, Kentucky and Chicago. This Cultural festivity, soccer and basketball tournaments are being organized each year by the participating communities in turn.
This year, it was organized by Tibetan Alliance of Chicago by a special committee (Trung-Khar Committee) lead by Pema Rinzin as Chairman.
It was inaugurated and flagged off at 9:00 AM on July 1st 2006 in North River Park in park district, Chicago. Dr. Larry Gerstein, President of International Tibetan Independence Movement, Indiana was the Chief guest at the inauguration, who in his inaugural speech reminded the participants to determine to have such functions in Free Tibet in near future.
President of Tibetan Alliance of Chicago, Mr Yeshi Tenzin, who was a former physical instructor himself in TCV/ Dharamsala, India, welcomed every one and advised them to play fair in the games. As President of the host community he wanted every event to go by the rules and regulations in sportsman spirit.
Later in a conversation he said, "Girl’s Basketball was a new addition this year, and I hope to continue it every year. We need to break away from the stereotype of neglecting girls in the field of sports and games, expose them and give them more opportunities."
(Compared to other ethic communities that I know of, Tibetan women are more equal with men in many other fields of life, so why not in sports and games).
Chicago’s Nomad Team won Pawo Thupten Ngodup memorial soccer cup, while Minnesota Team won both Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball trophy this year.
In line with the American Idol show, was this Talent show of Midwest Tibetan youngsters. The Judges selected Ms. Tenzin Palmo (15), of Chicago as the most talented and the best singer among 9 competitors. She was awarded $ 1000:00 as first prize.
Evening shows were held in the auditorium of Northeastern Illinois University’s Art Center. Dance groups from the member communities had the annual opportunity to show the cultural items they learnt through the years. Dresses and costumes are all new and much better, which enhanced the overall presentation this year.
Mr Pema Rinzin, the chairman of Trung-Khar Committee, in his brief note, thanked all those involved in making the cultural show a great success.
The celebration was concluded with a day long picnic and Volleyball matches among the participating Tibetan communities in Midwest on the shore of Lake Michigan, popularly known as Foster Beach on July 4th, American Independence Day. Midwest Tibetan Americans, thus, merged Trung-Khar celebration into the main stream July 4th celebration, and stayed all day long playing, and enjoying the freedom of Independence.
Next year, Tibetan Association, Medison is to Organize the Trung-Khar Celebration tournaments, and the cultural shows.
The author can be reached at norsamT@aol.com |
