Sporting Activism - Bring Tibet to 2008 Games
August 4th marked an important day for the Tibetan struggle with four major Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) joining to increase awareness of the duplicity of the Beijing Olympic Games. A country that cannot manage to uphold accepted standards of human rights should not host the Olympic Games which were created to promote an international exchange of ethical competition.
This time, the activism came in the form of a one-day sporting event with a football match between the Tibetan National Football team and an Indian football team held in Delhi. The NGOs have asked for Tibet to stand as an independent contender in the 2008 Games as "Team Tibet."
The NGOs who organised the day were the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) and Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet-India. Support was given by the various settlements but the turnout of over 3,000 Tibetans from around India and Nepal to observe the match was telling of the strong sentiment that is held to have Team Tibet compete alone in the 2008 Games.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the Indian national stadium, was agreed to be the location of the high profile match, however shortly before the event, under duress the Indian Government denied permission for this and instead the match was held at the grounds of Kirorimal College of Delhi University. The game did indeed go on.
However the intention of the day was upheld with the supporters and the NGOs showing that even with the intense heat and the last minute change of location, the peaceful protest in the form of sporting activism was successful. The aim is for there to be many more activities and campaigns worldwide to support Team Tibet. B. Tsering of TWA said, "We have decided to recognise August 4 as International Day for Tibet to use it as an accelerating event for lines of activities that will follow next."
After sunset, the supporters lit candles and shared the hopes for a free Tibet but perhaps before that, a Tibet that competes under its own flag at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.