More Bhutanese youths are engaged in football

Sitting at the 186th position in the FIFA rankings, Bhutan looks to improve its rankings in the years to come.

More Bhutanese youths are engaged in football Paro FC Youth Training Program in action

Sitting at the 186th position in the FIFA rankings, Bhutan looks to improve its rankings in the years to come. With around 300 youth in Thimphu engaged by football clubs and football academies, that dream may not be far off.

It is difficult to point out when exactly football was introduced to Bhutan, but it can be assumed that the game was introduced when the first schools were opened in Bhutan sometime during the 1950s. The sport was most probably introduced to Bhutanese students by foreign teachers.

Football has since come a long way, from children playing with a football made from old clothes and two rocks serving as a goal post to FIFA certified fields hosting both international matches and the domestic league. A lot of youth now have access to these facilities, and the various clubs and academies conduct training camps.

Paro FC at the moment trains 138 youths, they hold training sessions 4 times a week, and they look to have more sessions in the future according to their head coach Puspalal Sharma. The training and guidance provided at the Paro Football academy for their junior program have paid dividends this year with their Under 12, Under 10 and Under 8 Teams winning the Mini Dragon League Championship. They are currently dominating the competitions in the ongoing BFF Youth League.

Transport United FC have 100 youth enrolled in their youth training program, they recently completed their coaching course for coaches who will be sent to Phuentsholing, Samtse and Tsirang to begin training the youth in each district.

Some clubs such as Takin FC prefer to keep the number of youth trainees smaller at 30 per training season to ensure adequate attention and guidance.

A growing number of training centres comes with its own challenges. Coaches complain that the main challenge of hosting such training sessions is the lack of infrastructure as there are few training grounds available. With most of the stadiums occupied by either the home team training or being rented out for use by the public, it leaves very little time for the youth program, and they are mostly conducted at odd hours. However, teams with their own playing fields fare much better than the rest and can provide quality training to their youth trainees.

With the ever-growing popularity of youth engagement in football, both parents and coaches all hope that the government will contribute to developing the standard of football by investing in setting up more infrastructure. Pelden Namgyel, a parent whose son is currently enrolled under such a program is happy that his son is engaged in a healthy activity that will teach him discipline, teamwork and keep him away from running afoul of the law. He remarked that with continued support from both the government and the public, Bhutan may produce high-caliber footballers in the future, “who knows? we may have the next Messi or the next Cristiano Ronaldo in the making if we provide the opportunities for our children.”



Related Posts

Paro FC reclaimed its champion title for BoB Bhutan Premier...

Bank of Bhutan (BoB) Bhutan Premier League 2021, previously known as Bhutan Premier League (BPL), the top football...

Oct 02, 2021 19:57

BOB Bhutan Premier League is coming back soon with a bang

There’s an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation growing in the valleys of Bhutan as football fans in the country...

Jul 24, 2022 14:47

Zimbiri Makes History as First Bhutanese Woman Elected to SAFF...

Zimbiri has made history as the first Bhutanese woman elected to the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Executive...

May 28, 2025 10:49

Bhutan Cricket's New Milestone: The Inaugural Indoor Cricket...

The Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB) inaugurated its inaugural indoor cricket academy on 20th December, with the...

Dec 21, 2023 14:57

Paro FC Clinches Third Consecutive Victory in BOB Bhutan Premier...

Paro FC has once again claimed the BOB Bhutan Premier League championship, marking their third consecutive title victory...

Dec 12, 2023 10:26

Dragon Boys' Resilience Shines Through: Bhutan's World Cup...

Following the 4-0 defeat in Hong Kong, the prevailing anticipation was that Bhutan's national team would need to score...

Oct 19, 2023 11:40

Latest

News

First 2025 Gyalsung Cohort Completes National Service Training

Bhutan’s first 2025 Gyalsung cohort has completed their three-month National Service training with a grand Passing Out Parade attended by...

Jul 01, 2025 15:33

Gyalsung Skilling Programme Prepares 493 Gyalsups for National Service and Future Careers

Bhutan’s Gyalsung Skilling Programme equips 493 Gyalsups with hands-on training in traditional arts and modern technologies, preparing them...

Jun 12, 2025 15:52

Features

Passion and Purpose: A Bhutanese Woman’s 14-Year Journey in Tourism

Meet Chencho Lham, a seasoned Bhutanese tour guide from Paro, as she shares her 14-year journey of leading travellers through sacred...

Jun 18, 2025 15:20

Passion and Purpose: A Bhutanese's Guide Perspective on Happiness

Chencho Tshering, a seasoned Druk Asia tour guide with nearly a decade of experience, shares his journey, personal passions, and heartfelt...

May 28, 2025 16:38

Business

High Altitude, Higher Ambitions: Bhutan Enters the Wine World

Bhutan has officially stepped onto the global wine stage with the debut of The Himalayan, a record-breaking 7.57-litre bottle auctioned by...

May 23, 2025 16:38

Most Popular Bars in Thimphu

Discover Thimphu’s vibrant nightlife, where traditional Bhutanese drinks meet modern cocktails in the city’s top bars and lounges. Unwind...

Feb 10, 2025 16:14

Sports

Zimbiri Makes History as First Bhutanese Woman Elected to SAFF Executive Committee

Zimbiri has made history as the first Bhutanese woman elected to the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Executive Committee, a landmark...

May 28, 2025 10:49

Bhutan Cricket's New Milestone: The Inaugural Indoor Cricket Academy

The Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB) inaugurated its inaugural indoor cricket academy on 20th December, with the objective of ensuring...

Dec 21, 2023 14:57

Travel

Bhutan’s Bhutan Believe Film Wins Silver at 2025 US International Awards

Discover how Bhutan’s national brand film Bhutan Believe captured the silver award at the 2025 US International Awards, celebrating a fresh...

Jun 27, 2025 17:26

Bhutan Unveils Its Most Advanced Integrated Check Post at Gelephu

Bhutan’s largest and most advanced Integrated Check Post in Gelephu nears completion, promising smarter border control, faster trade...

Jun 17, 2025 13:08

Lifestyle

Bhutan Celebrates World Music Day with a Soulful Gathering in Thimphu

Bhutan marked World Music Day with a vibrant concert in Thimphu, featuring over 90 artists despite the rain. Discover how music is shaping...

Jun 23, 2025 16:37

What's in a Name? Discover Bhutan's Unique Naming Tradition

In Bhutan, names are traditionally given by monks and not tied to family lineage. Visitors can experience a traditional naming ceremony at...

Jun 03, 2025 14:04

Subscribe to our newsletter

Never miss out on new happenings and news stories!

newsletter

Download Daily Bhutan Mobile App

Connecting with us just got easier!

android app
apple app