Indian Soccer Capt. Turns Down Torch
4/3/2008 10:47:00 AM
STORY: He sympathizes with the Tibetan cause and says this is his way of standing by the people of Tibet and their freedom struggle. [Tenzing Champa, Tibetan Youth Congress]: Bhutia's decision to boycott the Olympic torch and sympathize with the Tibetans has made him somewhat of a hero. [Doma, Tibetan-in-Exile]: Earlier, the Tibetan exiles in India urged Bollywood actor Aamir Khan to not participate in the relay. Tibetan exiles in India are planning their own Games in the month of May with a slogan of "One World, Many Dreams" countering the Beijing Olympics slogan of "'One World, One Dream.”
CHAN:
Indian soccer captain Bhaichung Bhutia is drumming up support in the Tibetan community. He's a Buddhist who has refused to carry the Olympic torch when it travels to India in April... making him a hero to the Tibetan community in India.
Bhutia has informed the Indian Olympic Association that he wont be part of the torch relay in New Delhi on April 17.
"We are happy with his decision of refusing to carry the Olympic torch. He is a Buddhist and we feel he is one of those few Buddhists who have not forgotten their duty. We are glad that he is expressing his solidarity towards the Tibetan cause in this manner."
"I felt very happy and touched by his support and I on behalf of all the Tibetans who are staying in Sikkim and who would like to thank him sincerely from his heart for his support in this critical situation in Tibet."
