HISTORY OF FOOTBALL IN BHUTAN

Bhutanese National Football Team existed since the 1970s, and football in olden times was played with much dedication and passion. The sport fans during the matches in the changlimathang stadium was much more in past than today. Beside lots of limitations in all aspects the sport was popular within the Bhutanese society. It is fair to state that standard of football was high but it is much faster, stronger, higher, technical and tactical in today’s football.

In 1983 Bhutan Football Association was founded as the governing body of the development of the sport in the Nation. In 1993 it was rename as Bhutan Football Federation and was affiliated with AFC and in 2000 affiliated with FIFA. As Bhutan Olympic Committee is the sole agent of the sports development in Nation, Bhutan Football Federation is also one of the Federations under the BOC umbrella.

The first President was Lyonpo Dawa Tshering and Dasho Ugyen Dorji was the first General Secretary of the Federation. The executive members consist of President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and other members but all the members were working on volunteer bases.

During its initial stages, sport might have struggled with limitations of technically sound persons, lack of infrastructures, equipment and no opportunity to participate in international competitions. Beside limitations the Bhutanese National Team had very talented and skillful players at that time. As of now I could remember only few names i.e. Abai Gurung, Pema Dorji, Mini and K.B.Basnet which were very popular in this region.

The first international match Bhutan played was in Nepal with Nepal on April 1, 1982 and Bhutan lost 1-3 score. The first National level match was organized in 1986 and Royal Bhutan Army was the winner of the competition. The facilities in the past were obviously not that good in all aspects. In today’s football we are at least equipped with handful of technically sound coaches, match officials and qualified managers.

After securing affiliation with AFC and FIFA the development and major changes in sport was see as the Federation is entitled for annual subsidiary funds, which enable the functioning of the Federation and development of sport in the Nation. As the member of FIFA, Federation has completed 1st FIFA Goal Project and the 2nd Project is under construction. These FIFA Goal Projects builds sport infrastructures in the Nation which contributes for the development of tomorrow’s players which is vital in modern trends of football. The new generation of players in the days to come depends on how we nurture them in the Grassroots stages in these excellent centers buildup by the FIFA funds.

As the present scenario of sports in Bhutan is not professional and athletics hardly makes living out of sports, priorities were given for academic sessions who secure the future profiles of the youths. The lack of infrastructures, human resources, exposures and funds are the major factors that contribute as barriers for the development of the sports. The remedies for these barriers are easy to say but to implement it needs lots of resources.  To develop the sports in Nation it is vital and out most important to have standard infrastructures in place, qualified professionals in specific sports, qualified Administrators, lots of exposures in international arenas and Professional sports personnel whereby they can make living out of sports. This is also a scenario whereby nobody could be blame as the country in its midst of development has lots of top and genuine priorities to be implemented for its people welfare.

Inline to the philosophy of our beloved Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, it would be wise idea to nurture sports and GNH side by side as sports would contribute lots for achieving the GNH. Bhutan Football Federation has very clear vision of nurturing the players from their golden age of learning and we want the coming generation to be the Pro-Generation. Bhutan Football Federation wants today’s youth to participate in sports actively and seriously, which would contribute for the healthier and happier citizens in the days to come. So, through sports we want to bring some changes and we are striking to achieve our goals and we have faith with the stake holders for their supports.

We have few popular players in the National squad and they are also quite senior, we would like to put up some names i.e. Passang, Pema, Ngwang, Chenco and Kinley Dorji. To be honest as we are not professional there is only a very little difference between our national players in their performance.

Bhutanese citizen very often gets upset with results of the national team while playing in international arenas; it is fact as a true Bhutanese who want to see his/her nation losing badly. But the facts are; we as a Bhutanese should ask some questions to ourselves: Are we professional? Do we have players regularly practicing and playing? Do we have infrastructures? What is the preparation budget and duration? Do we have enough exposures before the competitions? Do we have excellent centers for development of players? Do we have adequate man power and qualified professionals? Things don’t happen overnight and still Bhutan is in its embryonic stage in sports comparing to other part of globe. But with the FIFA Goal Projects injecting the infrastructures and Bhutan Football Federation going for long term development, we are pretty sure we could bring smile in Bhutanese faces sooner or later.

It would of great benefits if we could host the major competitions in the nations but as of now we lack lots for hosting such competitions honestly. But we are optimist as saying goes “ whatever the mind of human can conceive and believe, it can be achieve” so, if we Bhutanese could conceive and believe to host the major games like FIFA competitions,  it can be achieved but when and how depends how we plan and execute the coming days.

 Football not only has to provide the opportunity for youngsters to develop the skills that are peculiar to game; it also has to help them develop their personality, their psychological and social skills. Beside development of future players, it is essential to remember that the game of football has a wider role to play and that it has to include basic education values as part of its agenda. Football has to provide a real school of life, a school that is prepared to train and develop not only the elite players of tomorrow but also all of those youngsters who are passionate about the game and who form the base of the football pyramid that the game needs to ensure its continued progress.

Football is also for the good of the community. The sport supported the first-ever World Blood Donor Day and as part of the joint project run by WHO and other organizations, contributed again financially to fight against cholera in Mozambique, one of the country’s most affected by this insidious disease. The sport also conducts special football for peace and unification of the people. The sport support and promote the Millennium Development Goals that were agreed by UN member states in 2000. They include the fight against hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental damage and discrimination against women and child. So in short football as became the ambassador to facilitate the peace and prosperity globally.

Source: BFF, Bhutan

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the bigger Red Dragons out-roared the Bhutan's Dragon Boys

In the clash of the two dragons, the bigger Red Dragons out-roared the Dragon Boys when the People’s Republic of China thrashed the Bhutanese team 12-0 at the He Long Stadium, Changsha, Hunan in China, yesterday.

The on-field massacre started as soon as the whistle blew with the Chinese getting their first look at goal less than 30 seconds into the game. Defender Mei Fang scored the first goal in the ninth minute opening the floodgates for 11 more in the next 80 minutes.

Weaving through the Bhutanese defense, striker Yang Xu and partner Yu Dabao scored four and two goals each respectively. Striker Yu Hanchao and substitute Wang Yongpo also scored two goals each and midfielder Zhang Xizhe also registered his name on the score sheet.

The intention was clear, China wanted to score early, and score as many goals as possible in the race to the top of the table, currently held by Qatar with 15 points.

The game plan of the Bhutanese players was unclear. A defensive approach did not work against the much faster and taller Chinese players. The wet and slippery pitch added to the carnage as Bhutanese goalie Hari Gurung could not get a proper grip on the ball.

The home advantage was clearly evident in the game play of the Chinese players. With 67 to 37 percent ball possession, China dominated throughout the 90 minutes with their speed and physique, rampaging over their physically inferior opponents. The miss passes and hasty play from the Dragon Boys clearly showed that the pressure was immense.

The Bhutanese players could attempt only three shots to 39 shots for China, with an on-target shot of 24 to zero for Bhutan. The Chinese made a total of 709 passes to Bhutan’s 231.

With a game in hand, the win maintains China’s position at the third place in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with 10 points. Hong Kong defeated Maldives 1-0 in the other game yesterday to retain their position at the second with 13 points.

Bhutan will host Qatar in their second last game of this round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on November 17 at the Changlimithang stadium.

Source: Kuenselonline

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Bhutan's Dragon's Boys clash with Giant Dragon, China in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The National Football Team is fully prepared to face the giant dragon, China, at Helong Stadium in Changsha, at 5:30 PM local time. This is the second match for the two teams for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. China had won the first game, 6-0 at the Changlimithang stadium, in Thimphu. The team reached China, yesterday.

Our reporter, Yeshey Gyeltshen, who is following the Dragon Boys, says the squad of 23 players is working hard, right from the crack of the dawn.

The team will not need acclimatization as the weather in Changsha is quite similar to that of Thimphu, says our reporter.

The challenge, however, will be from the opposition team, who will not only have the home ground advantage, but having lost their previous match to Qatar, will not want the same results.

But, the Bhutanese players say they are ready.

The team will be led to the ground by striker, Chencho Gyeltshen. Chencho says he wishes to score in every single match, this one included.

“It’s a big responsibility having people expecting and relying on me to score. And it’s my job, as a striker, to score goals.”

The bigger boost for the team has come in the form of the head coach. Players say having a Bhutanese head coach has boosted the team’s morale.

“With the change of coach, I believe the attitude of the team has changed. It has made easier for us to discuss our views with the coach and plan accordingly for the next game,” said Midfielder, Karun Gurung.

The team’s new head coach, Pema admits tomorrow’s match will be a tough one, but says the results cannot be predicted.

“They have new players in the team. But we are ready, tactically, technically, and physically,” he said.

Source: BBS

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Bhutan Lost to Hong Kong 0-1 in home ground Changlimethang

Hong Kong Celebrate the Goal

Bhutan was three minutes short of securing its first point in the World Cup qualifiers in their fifth game against Hong Kong at the Changlimithang stadium yesterday.

If the thin air made it difficult for the Hongkongers, the rain that lashed for almost an hour made it difficult for the visitors to suppress the Dragon Boys like they did in the first leg in June. The physically taller and stronger players could not outpace the Bhutanese at home for much part of the game.

Led by a new head coach and skipper, Bhutan played a defensive game for the first 15 minutes.

The match saw equal opportunities created by both the teams to break the deadlock with both sides gaining equal possession of the game.

The strike-duo of Godfred Karikari and James Mckee, who terrorised the Bhutanese defence in June, created some trouble for goalie Hari Gurung in the beginning but Hari was equal to the challenge making some remarkable saves.

However, in the 89th minute, striker Chan Sui Ki’s header from defender Cheung Kin Fung’s corner kick finally broke the stiff Bhutanese resilience and broke the heart of the fans who braved the cold and the rain to cheer their team. Hari has come out to punch the ball to safety, but was too short for Sui Ki who left the keeper punching the cold air.

Bhutan’s interim head coach Pema said that the strategy was to defend for the first 15 minutes and then go on full attack, taking the advantage of the altitude.  “We gave our best today. We wanted to win and dedicate it to Their Majesties on their fourth Royal wedding anniversary,” he said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t win but we gave our best till the end.”

Skipper Karun Gurung said that they adopted “zonal marking”, a defensive strategy where defenders cover an area of the pitch rather than marking a specific opponent. “This strategy worked perfectly until the 89th minute,” he said. “We played typical Bhutanese game, we’ll get back stronger for the next remaining games.”

Hong Kong’s head coach Kim Pan-Gon said that the rain and the high altitude was the main factor that prevented his team from scoring more goals.

“We lost several goal scoring opportunities because of the rain and the cold and small mistakes from our players,” the South Korean coach said. “But we overcame this difficulty and we’re going with three important points.”

The head coach credited the Bhutanese team for their “excellent performance.” He said Bhutan has improved a lot and he admired the attitude and passion of the players. “With more practise, the team will just get better,” he said.

Hong Kong retains its second position in Group C with the 10 points while Bhutan is rooted at the bottom without a point.

Source: Kuenselonline

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