In most people's minds, football does not seem to belong to Tibet – the Roof of the World with an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters. Yet this is not the case.

The game of football is as popular – if not more so – here as anywhere else. And its popularity has kept rising dramatically in recent years so that a match of general nature can attract a huge number of enthusiasts to watch.

On weekends or holidays, football fields of schools or universities in Lhasa are always thronged with young football lovers who, if coming too late, often have to wait for their turns to play. There are plenty of football fans who never miss a professional league match live on TV, domestic or overseas – the Chinese Super League, the Bundesliga, Italian League, La Liga and so forth.

A group photo of a Tibet-based football team taken in 1936.

By 1920, football had already taken root in Tibet with a number of football teams. Lhasa United, Potala Palace, Tashi, Drapchi and the Bodyguard Regiment were some of the most reputable football teams. Matches were regularly played among each other.

A group of people playing football near Norbulingka in 1936.

As a game for the upper class in old Tibetan society, football was mainly played by aristocratic youngsters before and during the 1950s.

Following Tibet’s democratic reform beginning in 1959, which led to major transformation in every aspect of Tibetan society, football gradually evolved into a sport for the general public. Both professional and amateur football teams from Tibet have made considerable progress in recent years.

The Tibet Football Association established several years ago is expected to bring local football teams on the national stage. The people of the Tibetan ethnic minority have a strong physique and zeal for the sport of football. Their dietary habits are also conducive to their engagement in the sport.

According to a survey by a sport agency, more than 70 percent of middle school boys in Tibet show interest in football. They are the reserve forces for long-term development of Tibet's football. Therefore, we have reason to believe that football has a promising prospect in Tibet in the long term.