26th Bhutan Football Federation Congress
The Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) successfully convened its 26th General Congress today at Hotel Ariya, bringing together key stakeholders to shape a transformative legislative and financial roadmap for the future of Bhutanese football. Chaired by the BFF President Dasho Ugen Tsechup, the congress was attended by Executive Committee members, FIFA and AFC representatives, club delegates, and other important stakeholders from across the football ecosystem.
The Congress unanimously approved the 2025 Activity Report and Statutory Audit Report, alongside the official adoption of the comprehensive financial budget for the fiscal year 2026, marking another significant step in strengthening governance and strategic planning within Bhutanese football.
The session opened with a welcome address from President Dasho Ugen Tsechup, who extended greetings to dignitaries, including Sonam Jigme, Senior Manager of the AFC Member Associations Division and Prince Rufus, Lead Regional Office South Asia at FIFA.
He expressed sincere appreciation to administrators, coaches, referees, corporate sponsors, and volunteers whose collective efforts contributed to notable progress in 2025 across grassroots development, youth academies, and domestic competitions.
To ensure transparency and procedural integrity, the Congress confirmed its legal quorum before appointing key independent bodies for the session. Tenzin Wangchuk (Thimphu City FC) and Bikash Chettri (RTC FC) were appointed as official scrutineers, while Rajni Gurung (BFF Academy), Kinley Wangmo (Transport United FC), and Tsheltrim (Paro FC) were confirmed as the three-member Minute Checkers.
Following these formalities, Vice President and Head of the Finance Committee, Pema Dorji, delivered a detailed technical presentation outlining the previous year’s audit closures and presenting a line-by-line breakdown of the proposed 2026 fiscal roadmap. The budget received unanimous approval from the floor.
While acknowledging the progress made, the President Dasho Ugen Tsechup delivered a forward-looking address emphasizing long-term sustainability and strategic reform built on three key pillars:
1. Drive for Commercial Independence
The President highlighted the Federation’s current 100% dependency on FIFA and AFC funding, describing it as a structural limitation to long-term growth. He stressed the urgent need to diversify revenue streams through stronger corporate partnerships and commercial initiatives to ensure financial autonomy.
2. Localizing Premium Coaching Investments
He called for a strategic shift in technical development, emphasizing investment in homegrown coaching talent. The Federation plans to establish elite, high-level coaching courses within Bhutan, ensuring that local coaches receive development opportunities comparable to international standards.
3. Academy Relocation and Internationalisation
The President outlined the relocation of the BFF Girls’ Academy to Paro, positioning it as a world-class high-performance centre. The facility is envisioned not only to elevate domestic women’s football but also to attract international student-athletes, raising the competitive standards within the program.
As the Congress concluded, President Ugen Tshechup noted that while Bhutanese football continues on a positive trajectory, significant work remains to align with global standards. He extended his best wishes to all clubs for a competitive, professional, and successful season ahead in the national competitions.