Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Mar. 24: In a thrilling finale to the 2025 Sri S Nijalingappa Memorial South Cup, 10-man Hunsur Rabgyaling defeated the defending champions DYSA Mundgod in a nail-biting penalty shootout to claim the prestigious title.
The match, which drew more than 1,800 spectators at the venue with thousands more watching via live broadcast, ended in dramatic fashion as Hunsur Rabgyaling emerged victorious with a 5-4 penalty shootout win following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
The final remained goalless during regular time, pushing the contest into a 20-minute extra time period. DYSA Mundgod broke the deadlock in the 104th minute when Karma found the back of the net, seemingly putting the defending champions on course for another title. However, Hunsur’s resilience paid off when Tenzin Tsering equalised in the 113th minute, forcing the match into penalties where Hunsur ultimately prevailed despite playing with only 10 men.
The tournament, which began on March 13, 2025, was hosted by TDL Sports Club in Bylakuppe to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The tournament is dedicated to Sri S. Nijalingappa, the former Chief Minister of Mysore State (now Karnataka), who served two terms from 1956 to 1958 and 1962 to 1968. The tournament name serves as a tribute to Nijalingappa, who, at the request of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, provided land for Tibetan settlements in Karnataka, an act deeply appreciated by the Tibetan community in southern India.
The competition featured nine teams from Tibetan settlements across southern India, including DYSA Mundgod, Mangalore FC, Kollegal FC, Tashi Dekyi Lartso A and B, two teams from the host organisation, Gulladhalla Youth Association, Goa FC, Bangalore FC, and the eventual champions, Hunsur Rabgyaling FC.
Hunsur Rabgyaling’s victory earned them the championship trophy along with prize money of 1 lakh rupees. The tournament also recognised individual excellence, with Tenzin Tsering of Hunsur Rabgyaling claiming the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s top scorer. His teammate, Tenzin Ngawang, was awarded the Golden Glove for his outstanding performance as goalkeeper throughout the competition.
Gulladhalla GYA secured the third position in the tournament, while Mangalore Young Boys FC was recognised as the team demonstrating the best fair play throughout the competition.
The tournament rules stipulated that only teams from South Indian Tibetan settlements could participate, emphasising the event’s role in fostering community ties and celebrating Tibetan culture in southern India while honouring the historical support provided by Sri S. Nijalingappa.
Previous editions of the tournament were won by Tibetan Dekyi Lartso (TDL) (two-time champions), Kollegal FC, and DYSA Mundgod.
