27th NDS Martyrs Trophy T20 Cricket Tourney
Leh, Sept 06: Deputy Chairman of LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk, inaugurated the 27th Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Martyrs Trophy T20 Cricket Tournament at the NDS Stadium today, describing it as both a celebration of youth talent and a tribute to Ladakh’s martyrs. Declaring the month-long contest open, he urged players to uphold sportsmanship and reaffirmed the council’s vision of transforming the stadium into a multipurpose sports hub, equipped with modern cricket infrastructure and a museum dedicated to fallen heroes.
Organized by Chuchot Sporting Club in collaboration with LAHDC Leh, the tournament features 32 teams from Ladakh and beyond. The winners will receive prize money of over one lakh rupees, while the runners-up will take home around seventy thousand.
The competition honors the memory of Late Nawang Rinchen of Sankar, Late Tsering Stobdan of Durbuk, and Late Tsewang Dorjey of Saboo, who sacrificed their lives during the 1989 agitation that eventually secured Union Territory status for Ladakh.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of councillors, LBA leaders, sporting officials, and a large crowd of players and supporters. Special guest Abi Cho Cho (Yangchan Dolma) urged the younger generation to draw inspiration from the martyrs’ courage, while LBA President Tsering Dorjey Lakruk hailed the tournament as a bridge between remembrance and youth engagement.
Chuchot Sporting Club President Padma Thinley presented mementos to the dignitaries, followed by the felicitation of the club’s staff. The opening match between Avengers and Cham-Sak began amid high anticipation, after all teams collectively pledged to uphold the spirit of the game.
Among the dignitaries present were Lower Leh Councillor Tsering Namgyal, Thiksay Councillor Stanzin Chosfail, LBA President Tsering Dorjey Lakruk (Guest of Honour), Abi Cho Cho (Special Guest), Senior VP LBA Rigzin Dorjey, LBA Youth President Jigmet Rafstan, DYSSO Leh Tsering Tashi, and Chuchot Sporting Club President Padma Thinley, along with players and supporters of the 32 participating teams.
In his address, Deputy Chairman Tsering Angchuk congratulated the organizers and stakeholders for their efforts in making the tournament a success. He reiterated the council’s commitment to developing the NDS Stadium into a modern sports facility, with a special focus on cricket, and expressed his aspiration to establish a museum in memory of the martyrs. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining the stadium to preserve its facilities for future generations.
The ceremony concluded with a group photograph and words of encouragement to all participants. The tournament stands not only as a sporting event but also as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, unity, and inspiration for Ladakh’s youth.
