Climate Cup 2024
The only climate-dedicated football tournament in the world
It’s Climate Cup Season!
After a sweltering football-filled summer, the focus has shifted back to the week-in, week-out marathon of club football. I love that as much as the next football fan, but with the pause for the international window, I’m turning my attention to the high reaches of India’s Himalayan border, where the second edition of the Ladakh Climate Cup is taking place.
From 1 September to 7 September, six football clubs are competing in the only climate-dedicated football tournament in the world. For the second year in a row, the Climate Cup is taking place in Leh, 11,000 feet above sea level in the heart of the Himalayan mountains.
The Climate Cup is the brainchild of former journalist/football club owner Shamim Meraj in collaboration with the Ladakh Football Association, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), and the regional government of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
For a community whose everyday existence depends on the health of glaciers, frigid temperatures, and predictable weather patterns for sheep grazing (snow in the winter and clear skies in the summer, as opposed to the ever more frequent rain) it seems like a no-brainer to try and raise global (and local) climate awareness.
Speaking to me last year, LAHDC Chief Executive Councilor Tashi Gyalson noted the struggles Ladakhis are facing. Water scarcity is becoming a critical issue with glaciers quickly disappearing. Moreover, in just the last decade entire villages (Kulum for example) have had to migrate due to inhospitable shifting weather patterns. Flash flooding is also becoming a common problem in Ladakh, and further south in Himachal Pradesh. The issues are so severe that Ladakhis have had to engineer Ice Stupas (artificial glaciers) to save water for the summer months.
Gyalson is realistic, he said that Ladakh contributes almost nothing to global emissions, but noted that his region is bearing the brunt of climate change. Without a rapid reversal of the situation, the way of life in Ladakh will disappear, and communities will have to shift further south. The situation is so dire that Ladakh native, activist, and ice stupa pioneer Sonam Wangchuk conducted a 21-day “climate fast” in March to draw attention to the rapid melting of Himalayas and pressure the Indian government to give the Ladakhi people the power to legally protect their resources.
The objective of the week-long tournament is to harness the power of football to bridge sport and sustainability and generate greater awareness about the threats climate change poses. In the words of the organisers, it is “a call being made from the rooftop of the world so even more people can hear it.”
While most people think of cricket when talking about Indian sport, football is incredibly popular across the subcontinent, especially in Ladakh. There is specific interest in the Premier League, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, and the growing Indian Super League. Capitalising on that, Meraj worked together with Tsering Angmo — the founder and General Secretary of the Ladakh Football Association, and the only woman in Indian football to hold such a high post — to create 1 Ladakh FC, the union territory’s first professional football club. The club is dedicated to growing the sport in the region and wants to set the example as the cleanest and greenest club in India. It fully intends to be net-zero by 2025.
To help set an example and foster greater environmental consciousness, 1 Ladakh FC and the Ladakh Football Association decided to host the Climate Cup. The first edition saw four teams compete (1 Ladakh FC, Ladakh FA, Tibet National Team, and Delhi FC), and used an all-electric fleet of buses to shuttle them to and from matches. Matches were plastic-free, with all players being given water sippers, and the trophy was carved from responsibly sourced wood. The wooden trophy — carved by a local artisan and filled with Ladakhi motifs — is one of the most original and beautiful I’ve seen in a while, all while being sustainable.
The home side also dons stunning Hummel kits made of recycled materials. Created by design professional Jehad Shora, the kit — which collectors may want to get their hands on — displays a black-necked crane and the clouds, temples, and winding roads that are typical of the Himalayan union territory.
This year, the tournament has grown from four teams to six, with representation from across the subcontinent. Hosts 1 Ladakh FC are testing themselves against Skalzangling FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, North East United FC, J&K Bank FC, and the Tibet National Team. Moreover, for every goal scored at this year’s tournament, the Forest Department of Ladakh has promised to plant ten saplings.
The growth of the tournament suggests an increased awareness about climate change and a willingness to engage with the topic. However, more teams mean more travel to Ladakh, an issue organisers must grapple with as they seek to amplify their message.
At the time of writing, the hosts have made it through to the semi-finals where they will face Gokulam Kerala FC. The other semi-final pits J&K Bank FC against North East United FC.
However, the results matter far less than the message. Facing increasing rainfall, flooding, road collapse, and invasive vegetation, and with limited capacity to solve a global problem, the Ladakhi community came together to form a football team and put on an innovative tournament that raises awareness about climate issues while implementing small-scale solutions.
The day before the final, Ladakh will also play host to a climate conference, titled Climate 11 Summit. Focused on sport, sustainability, and climate change the summit will be the first of its kind at 11,000 feet and will allow participants to meet locals whose lives have been affected by climate change. Discussions will take place on how to effectively combat climate change, and what sport’s role should be in the space (beyond simply awareness). Speakers include Football For Future’s Barney Weston, well-known football historian David Goldblatt, former Kick it Out Director Piara Powar, journalist Sharda Ugra, as well as government officials and entrepreneurs.
Fans who want to know more, or spread the word about the Climate Cup are encouraged to get in touch with local officials Vikram Malik and Tashi Gyalson whose contact information can be provided. They can also watch the rest of the tournament on the Gully91 channel on YouTube.
It would be foolish to think that the Climate Cup will single-handedly solve the climate crisis. But it would be even more foolish not to embrace such an inspiring endeavour that seeks to unite people against the world’s greatest challenge using its greatest game. So spread the word, and use this as inspiration to find solutions in your local community.
Vitas Carosella is a freelance writer talking sports, politics and climate.
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