Dharamshala — The final match of the 31st Gyalum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup (GCMGC) football tournament was played between the DYSA Mundgod team and Lhasa FC at the Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement in Kollegal, South India, on April 16, 2026. At the end of extra time, DYSA led 1–0, and wins the 31st Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial (GCM) Gold Cup, making this their seventh victory.
The 31st Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial (GCM) Gold Cup was organised by the Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA). 12 Tibetan football teams took part in the 31st GCM tournament. The Tibetan football teams were Dhondupling FC, Dekyiling SC, Dhondenling FC, Choepheling FC, Lhasa FC, TDL, Bylakuppe, Hunsur Rabgyaling FC, Samyeling FC, Shawa FC, Phuntsoling United FC, Gulladhalla YA and Doeguling Youth Sports Association (DYSA) Mundgod.
The final match of the 31st Gyalum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup (GCMGC) football tournament was played between the DYSA Mundgod team and Lhasa FC at the Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement in Kollegal, South India, on April 16, 2026. Both teams played hard but couldn't score a single ball for the full 90 minutes, leading to 10 minutes of overtime for each. Karma Sherab of DYSA Mundgod scored a ball and DYSA Mundgod won the match and the 31st Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial (GCM) Gold Cup.
Doeguling Youth Sports Association (DYSA) Mundgod won the GCM Gold Cup in 2009, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025, and 2026, securing its third consecutive title and becoming the team with the highest number of GCM titles to its name.
The GCM Gold Cup is an annual football tournament organised by the Tibetan diaspora since 1981, to commemorate the great mother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Dickyi Tsering. The tournament's name, "Gyalyum Chenmo", means "the great mother" in Tibetan, reflecting the community's sentiment towards her.
The first tournament was held in October 1981, following the passing away of the great mother of His Holiness the Dalai Lamar in January of that year. Mr Joe Tsering, then TCV Chief Accountant, was the standard-bearer for this initiative.
The GCM Gold Cup is not only a platform for exciting soccer matches, it is also an event that unites all Tibetans in exile. The tournament plays a vital role in bringing together young Tibetans from Tibetan settlements all over India and the world, creating a bond between them and giving them the opportunity to celebrate their heritage in unison!
