Highland youth get their kicks in

Every weekend, children from across the village flock to the field, some walking as far as 10 kilometers to join in. Clad in ordinary cloth shoes or sneakers, they brave the harsh highland conditions — thin air, swirling dust and uneven terrain — to chase the ball. Falls and scrapes are common, but the young players never complain. They get up, dust themselves off, and go back to pursue the ball with unwavering determination.

The weekly tournament's creative names, such as the "Cabbage Cup", "Banana Cup", and "Soda Cup", depend on what items Sonam Jigme takes as trophies from his own home.