Bylakkuppe: The 3rd Annual Basketball Tournament Against TB came to a close on October 8 at the TDL basketball court.

Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk of the Health Department was invited as the chief guest of the final game and closing ceremony.

In his keynote address, Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk reiterated the mission of “Zero TB by 2025”. He stated that in 2018, a record number of Tibetan TB patients were mainly residing in schools and monasteries.

A collaborative study by John Hopkins University and the University of Wisconsin found that nearly 1 in 5 Tibetan schoolchildren in India have a TB infection. In addition, the rate of TB among Tibetan children in boarding schools were stated to be five to eight times higher than the global or other country rates.

Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk concluded his remarks by urging the general public to give more attention to their overall aspects of health.

The general secretary of the Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA), Passang mentioned how support is required in holding successful sports tournaments in the future.

Before the final game, an exhibition girls match was played between STS Bylakkuppe and TCV Bylakkuppe.

The final game came down to Lugsam vs. TDL (Dekyi Larsoe Settlement), however, Team Lugsam came out as the winner. Team Lugsam has now won the tournament for three consecutive years and is the reigning champion of the 3rd Annual Basketball Tournament Against TB.

Best Player was Tenzin Choeden of TDL who scored 91 points in the tournament.