By: Krishna K. Sapkota/Virginia
December 27, 2016:
OCBA 4th International Invitational Refugee Challenge Cup 2016 commenced on December 10th, 2016 coinciding with World Human Rights Day in Damak, Jhapa Nepal, ended on December 17, 2016 on the 109th National Day of Bhutan.
The press statement received by BNS from DB Rai, Organization of Bhutanese Communities in America (OBCA) chairman has expressed the motto of organizing the tournament as to express sincere thanks and gratitude to the government of Nepal for hosting tens of thousands of Bhutanese refugees for the last 25 years, UNHCR for humanitarian assistance and support for successful resettlement of Bhutanese refugees.
“It is also to extend solidarity and support to the Bhutanese refugees who are still residing in the camps in Nepal at this final stage of resettlement program, and more importantly to preserve the identity of Bhutanese in exile”, states the press release.
Nepal’s Youth and Sports Minister, Daljit Shreepaili, inaugurated the event.
Total of Eight teams, CFC Qatar, Purbali Youth Club Jhapa, Fans Club BRC, Mangalbare Football Club Morang, Kakarivitta Football Training Center, APF Purbanchal, Bhutanese Refugee Community, and Royal Club India participated in the competition.
FIFA referees Laba Khatri, Rojen Shrestha, Shyam Danuwar, and OBCA sports secretary and American FIFA referee, Jitu Basnet helped with umpiring the entire competition. The tournament became first of its type in the region where referees used Bluetooth enabled headphones for communication.
OBCA, Intra-National Home Care LLC, other resettled Bhutanese communities and individuals from different countries, and multitude of local, national, and international organizations and individuals financially supported the event. Included were hundreds of local and international volunteers.
The final match played between Zublin CFC Qatar and Royal Club India ended with 4-3 on tiebreaker. The winning team CFC Qatar bagged the purse of NRS.102,016 and a winner trophy, sponsored by OBCA. While Royal Club India received NRS. 62,016 and a trophy sponsored by Intra-National Home Care LLC, a home care organization in the United States headed by a former Bhutanese refugee, Dilli Adhikari.
Hemron from Royal Club India was declared the man of the match, Kishor Giri for best goalkeeper; Hemant Thapa Mangar, best mid-fielder, and Bishal Rai from CFC Qatar as the highest scorer of the tournament.
According to the organizer the initial budget of the tournament was estimated as NRS. 1.4 million, while ended up with little higher than NRS. 1.9million.
BRC Fans Club organized the week long soccer tournament in association with Organization of Bhutanese Communities in America (OBCA).
Video courtesy: Jitu Basnet (Facebook page).
Note: This news article is edited only for brevity and grammar-Ed
