Chandragiri: His Holiness Dalai Lama has always advised Tibetans to keep cordial relations with local population.
Keeping in mind the advice of Reverend Guruji, Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement (PTS) Office organized Cricket Tournament at Chandragiri, thanks to the efforts of Chief Administrator PTS, Khenpo Pema Tenphel.
And for the first time, a 10-days long cricket tournament was organized at the Land of Tibetans at Chandragiri in Gajapati district.
The Tibetan Settlement Office in the district has organized the tournament, which concluded on 10 April.
The tournament was named after Legendary Leader and Former Chief Minister Kalinga Veera Biju Patnaik.
It has witnessed an overwhelming response from the Tibetans and they wholeheartedly participated and enjoyed sports.
The first cricket tournament was named as Kalinga Veera Biju Patnaik as former CM Biju Babu has helped the Tibetans to settle in Gajapati district, said Khenpo Pema Tenphell, Chief Administrator, Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement.
As many as 12 teams including a team of Tibetans participated in the tournament.
Final competition was played between Ramagiri and Chandragiri Team and Ramagiri Team became the Champion.
A cash prize of Rs 20,000 along with a trophy was presented to the winning team in a ceremony held after the tournament.
Teams participated in Semi Final were also honoured, said sources.
Ramagiri College Principal Priyadarshini Patnaik, Zilla Parishad Member, Sunil Patnaik, Sarpanch Rajani Pradhan and others graced the occasion.
The organizers have decided to invite more teams to take part in the tournament in the coming years.