The Inter-State Bhutanese Soccer Tournament concluded successfully amidst a gathering of over 300 spectators in Oakland Tech High School, California field where Bhutanese-American Football Club of Fort Worth Texas gained victory beating Bhutanese Legacy Soccer Club, Dallas Texas with a score of 2/1.
In the final battle of 90 minute game both the teams failed to score any goal leading to the tie breaker shoot out.
Out of the five penalty shoot out opportunity, only Diwas Bhattarai (7) and Puspa Bhandari (12) of Fort Worth and Bikas Wagle (77) of Dallas team scored the goal.
Team Idaho was declared the second runner up as Oregon team returned home before the game.
A team of US certified officials led by Jitu Basnet judged the final.
Sukman Subba, a US trained and certified soccer official, of Tennessee was the forth official for the entire tournament.
According to Lalit Gurung, the lead of the organizing team, the total expenditure for the game was close to 15 thousand dollars.
“The local non-profit organizations like Soccer Without Boarders, Ethne Global Services of San Francisco, Hindu American Foundation, Lao Family Community Development Inc jointly sponsored the tournament,” said Gurung.
He also informed that the tournament went smoothly and that the entire Bhutanese community in CA was happy to host the tournament.
“The Bhutanese soccer lovers should work hard selflessly to develop the soccer skills amongst the Bhutanese in America and should look forward to include participation from all the states in the future,” added he.
Gurung also maintained that games like soccer would help engage youths in constructive works, inculcate discipline, help know everyone and provide a sense of belongings among each other as Bhutanese.
He thanked everyone for the support the organizing community received.
Meanwhile, Bikas Ghalley, the team manager of Dallas,Texas announced that the next tournament will be held in Dallas, Texas.
The Bhutanese Community of California hosted a DJ party in the evening where the local Bhutanese artists entertained the players and the guests with dances, songs, and free dinner.
Most of the teams are scheduled to return on Monday, June 25.
Award highlights
1st place: Bhutanese-American Football Club of Fort Worth Texas
1st runner up: Bhutanese Legacy Soccer Club, Dallas Texas
2nd runner up: Team Idaho.
Fair play award: Tennessee team
Best player of the tournament: Kamal Dhamala of Tucson Arizona team
Man of the match final game: Dawa Lama, Dallas Texas
Best goal keeper: Komal Bhandari, Fort Worth , Texas
Highest goal scorer of the tournament: Suren Thapa, Idaho, total of 5 goals
Trophy : All the participating teams.
