EVERY Monday evening, just before 7 p.m., Kelsang Lhundrup begins to close up his coffee shop in Lhasa, capital of Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, even though the summer sun still has a couple of hours before setting. The 25-year-old isn’t just a cafe owner; he’s also a passionate member of Xizang’s only amateur American football team, “Qiongniao,” which means the “great golden-winged bird.” For the past two years, Monday nights have been dedicated to American football practice. The sport was both familiar and alien for the young man. During college, Kelsang Lhundrup discovered the sport through the movie “The Blind Side.” Michael Oher’s story struck a chord with him, igniting a desire to play American football, even though he never got the chance back then. “American football always seemed so cool and thrilling, but no one around me played, and there were hardly any matches when I was in school,” Kelsang Lhundrup recalled. Upon graduating and returning to his hometown, he learned through a friend that there was an American football team in Lhasa. After watching a few practices, he couldn’t resist joining. Despite their makeshift training grounds and challenging conditions, the team’s passion for the sport remained unshaken. In June 2023, Kelsang Lhundrup and his teammates traveled to Chengdu to compete in China National Football League, one of China’s top amateur leagues. It was their debut match, and they faced a crushing defeat, losing 60-0. “It was our first game, and we realized the gap between us and the other teams. But our goal was to enjoy the game and learn from the experienced teams,” Kelsang Lhundrup said. Back in Lhasa, the team intensified their training, driven by the loss. Three months later, they returned to Chengdu for another match, this time against the runner-up in the previous year. Kelsang Lhundrup and his team held off their opponents’ fierce first-half attacks with solid defense. Although they lost again and Kelsang Lhundrup picked up a serious injury, the team knew they had made significant progress. “American football was never just a sport. It was a way to prove ourselves to the world,” Kelsang Lhundrup shared. Now, the only American football team in Xizang has gradually grown, expanding from its initial seven members to 56. During his recovery, his coffee shop became a place of solace. He named it “Huddle,” inspired by American football. “I hope my coffeehouse can bring together young people in Lhasa who have dreams and passions, to enjoy coffee and life,” he explained. Now, the Tibetan young man finds peace in his coffeehouse and releases stress on the American football field. “It changed me. I used to be quite introvert, but the sport made me braver and more outgoing,” Kelsang Lhundrup said. With determination, Kelsang Lhundrup and his team aim for their first victory. “Our goal is to win the first match for Xizang’s American football team and to spread American football culture to the young generation here,” he said confidently.(Xinhua) | 