Cattle herder helps kids hone soccer skills.

As the FIFA World Cup in North America concluded on July 19, a group of children in Lungakhu village in Nagchu city, Xizang autonomous region, stood tall in the windswept highland, hoisting their own version of the trophy. At an altitude of 4,700 meters, these children celebrated their unique "Highland Cup", a testament to their love for soccer and their indomitable spirit.

The tournament featured young players from the village and its neighboring communities, with the youngest participant just 5 years old. The children spontaneously formed five teams, competing in a round-robin format. Points and match outcomes determined the final rankings, crowning the champions of this heartfelt competition.

Behind the fun competition is Sonam Jigme, a 22-year-old herder who doubles as the children's coach. By day, he tends to his cattle, but on weekends, he trades his herding whip for a whistle, guiding his young proteges with passionate dedication.

Their village, nestled in a remote highland pasture, lacks a standardized soccer field. Moved by the sight of children playing on uneven grasslands and dirt slopes and often getting injured, Sonam Jigme transformed his family's cattle pen into a makeshift pitch. With earthen walls, a muddy surface and wooden goalposts, this humble field became the only sport sanctuary for the village's children.

Sonam Jigme's love for soccer began at a young age, though he never received formal training. Instead, he learned the game by meticulously studying online videos, frame by frame. "I had to master the skills myself before I could teach the children," he says.

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.

Since July 2025, Sonam Jigme has been documenting the children's games on social media, sharing their story with the world. The response has been overwhelming. Donations of footballs, shoes, jerseys, protective gear, and other supplies have poured in, bringing hope and joy to the highlands. The once-rudimentary field has gradually been upgraded, and the children's games now carry a sense of ceremony and pride. Their bright smiles now shine even more radiantly.

While the world's attention was focused on the World Cup, the children of the Xizang highlands played on, their faces alight with passion and resilience. There are no floodlights or roaring crowds here, just a pure love for the game.

In recent years, Xizang has seen progress in developing standardized football fields, school programs and youth training systems. In 2025, 13 schools in Xizang were recognized as national model schools for youth football, while by the end of the same year, the autonomous region boasted 1,136 soccer fields. Perhaps soon, Lungakhu village will have its own proper pitch.

While the World Cup ended, the children's passion for the sport, rooted in the rugged beauty of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, will never fade.