By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, June 24: A tragic incident cast a shadow over the first-ever All Pala Football Association (APFA) Gold Cup in Dhondupling Tibetan settlement, Dehradun, as Tenzin Dakden, a 42-year-old football player from Potala FC Odisha, passed away following a match on Monday.
Dakden, who hailed from Gulladhalla, Karnataka and played as the goalkeeper for Potala FC Odisha experienced discomfort during the morning match between Odisha and Delhi, which Odhisa won. Despite the victory, Dakden’s health took a sudden downturn post-match. He was transported to a hospital in an ambulance, but tragically, he succumbed to a heart attack at the hospital.
In response to the heart-breaking incident, the organisers of the APFA convened a ‘Health Talk’ in the evening. Tsering Yeshi, the president of APFA, expressed profound sorrow, saying, “One of our fellow players has departed, yet his memory will forever reside within us”.
Karma Ngudup, a member of APFA also addressed the gathering stating, “We are navigating through a challenging phase, but our resolve remains steadfast. We organized this tournament with high aspirations, prioritizing the health and well-being of the 40+ individuals in our community. Recognizing the greater good of our efforts, we embrace any obstacles with bravery and confidence, determined to see this tournament through to its conclusion. Football is merely the medium; our true goal is the health and fitness of all participants.”
The organisers said the tournament will continue to honor the departed. Before the evening match on Monday between Yak FC Darjeeling and Snowlion FC Gangtok, all tournament players honoured Dakden with scarves and condolences before his portrait. Organizers declared that throughout the tournament, every player will wear a black armband, a symbol of remembrance and mourning. Additionally, they announced the renaming of the tournament’s best goalkeeper award in his honour for all future AFPA tournaments.
