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Women's Football in Bhutan

Women’s Football Campaign in Bumtang and Punakha

The Women’s Football Department conducted the first ever women’s football campaign in Bumtang and Punakha district on 29th of October and 5th of November respectively. Women’s football Campaign is one of the eight developmental programs under the FIFA Women’s Development Program. The main objective of the program is to boost participation among young girls in a fun and engaging way. We also used it as anopportunity to scout for potential talents to be recruited into our Academy System. For the event, the girls were invited from four schools from each district, covering the ages from 2009 to 2014. The event, comprised small-sided games divided into age categories (U10, U12, and U14) and ran throughout the entire morning and the participants were provided with refreshments.  Ngawang Yangchen Lhamo of Bumthang shared that it had been a great experience as they had learned a lot and had a lot of fun during the event. According to Norbu Gyelteshen, the Principal of Ugyen Academy, it gave him absolute joy to see the young girls engaged and playing football.   Ms. Pema Choden, the head of the women’s department, expressed her observation that witnessing young girls actively participating in four-hour-long football sessions was truly inspiring. She emphasized that the common misconception suggesting that girls lack interest in football or that there is insufficient participation at the grassroots level is entirely false. According to her, girls are eager to be engaged in such activities, and the campaign underscored the necessity to organize more events of this nature. Ms. Pema Choden further stressed the importance of capturing girls’ interest at an early age and introducing them to the game. Regrettably, due to exams, the planned extension of the festival to Haa and Samtse had to be abandoned, as Ms. Pema Choden explained. Despite this setback, the campaign has sparked a call for increased efforts in organizing similar festivities to promote girls’ involvement in football and sports in general. A total of 310 girls (110 in Bumthang and 195 in Punakha) participated in the event during the campaign.

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BFF-AFC ‘B’ Diploma Coaching Course module one comes to an end today

The BFF-AFC B Diploma Coaching Course module one comes to the end today with first practical assessment of the participants. Now the participant will be going back to their clubs and academy for their practical assignments which they need to submit to the tutor in the final module of the course. A total of 13 participants participated in the course of which one is female. The course was lead by Mr. Kinley Dorji, the head of coach education and assisted by Mr. Puspa Lal Sharma head coach of Paro FC. The final module of the course will start from 1st December 2023.

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Coach Education Development Workshop

Coach Education Development Workshop

The Coach Education Department organized its inaugural Coach Education Development Workshop in Thimphu. This two-day event was led by two distinguished individuals: Mr. Mehmet, the Technical Director, and Mr. Kinley Dorji, the Head of Coach Education. The primary objective of this workshop was to empower our own national tutors with the necessary skills and knowledge. The workshop was specifically designed to enhance the capabilities of tutors, enabling them to effectively conduct courses in grassroots and C-level coaching. The aim is for these tutors to later facilitate courses in various regions and districts, thereby spreading the knowledge and expertise in coaching. A total of 17 participants are currently participating in this workshop, with the notable inclusion of three female participants, highlighting the commitment to inclusivity and diversity in coach education. During the workshop, coach educators have been actively reviewing the syllabus for grassroots and C-level courses. The goal is to update these syllabi in line with our specific needs and requirements to ensure the highest quality of coaching education. The workshop is set to conclude tomorrow, marking a significant step in the development and improvement of coach education in Thimphu.

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Chencho breaks the deadlock

Team Bhutan are qualified for the third round of AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, 2027 Saudi Arabia.

Bhutan’s national football team has secured their place in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers for the 2027 tournament in Saudi Arabia after finishing at the top spot to be knocked out of the preliminary round 2 against Hong Kong, China losing an aggregate of 4 – 2. The Dragon Boys were thrashed in Hong Kong, China at their home ground. With remarkable determination and teamwork, the Bhutanese squad has managed to overcome formidable Hong Kong, China at Changliithang National Stadium winning with a scoreline of 2 – 0 which recorded our first-ever memorable win at Changlimithang National Stadium. Despite, not qualifying for the FIFA World Cup preliminary round 1, we have earned this well-deserved spot in the next phase of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers(third round) earning the top spot in the best-losing team rankings. The road ahead promises tough challenges and fierce competition, but Bhutan’s qualification is a testament to its dedication and progress in football. The nation eagerly anticipates the chance to make its mark on the continental stage and continue its footballing journey towards the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

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Bhutan Referee

The FIFA MA Refereeing Program

The FIFA MA Refereeing program, which was scheduled to take place in Thimphu from October 8th to October 12th, 2023, has commenced today. The lead instructor for this course is from the FIFA Refereeing Development Office, while our local instructors and assessors are responsible for conducting both theory and practical sessions.The primary objective of this course is to equip referees, instructors, and assessors with the following skills and knowledge:1. Enhancing awareness, interpretation skills, practical application, and the ability to implement the latest laws of the game in real matches, primarily based on FIFA’s latest philosophy and approach.2. Collaborating to reduce inconsistencies in individual interpretations of the rules compared to the most up-to-date considerations that should guide decision-making.3. Deepening knowledge related to offside situations, with a special focus on understanding their impact on opponents.4. Sharing and updating information relevant to refereeing.The course is being attended by a total of 30 participants, with 9 of them being female referees, and it is being led by 5 instructors.

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Bhutan National Team

Bhutan’s International Football Journey: The Ebb and Flow of Results in 2023

In the realm of international football, Bhutan’s national teams have had their share of ups and downs in 2023. From the U16-SAFF Championship held in the country to our first International Women’s Friendly Tournament for the senior women’s national team, the year has been a rollercoaster ride for Bhutanese football enthusiasts. SAFF Championship, 2023, Bangalore The Dragon Boys’ first outing of 2023 was marked by their return to the SAFF Championship, which was held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, India, from June 21 to July 4, 2023. Apart from the SAFF countries, Kuwait and Lebanon were invited as guest teams to increase the number of teams and make the event more competitive. Bhutan started the SAFF expedition facing the Maldives in the opening match. Despite some exceptional displays from our Dragon boys, we failed to live up to expectations, suffering a heartbreak result in the opening of our journey, losing to the Maldives with a score of 2-0. Our second match of the championship was more surprising, as we faced a much stronger team ranked 80 places above us. Lebanon, one of the guests of the SAFF championship, opened their account within a few minutes of the opening whistle while we helplessly defended their attacks. We were 4 goals behind at halftime but managed to pull one back in the second half, showcasing our strong mentality despite the big goal margin. SAFF Championship, 2023 Bangalore Our first encounter with Lebanon In the final match of the championship, we faced Bangladesh and suffered a 3-1 setback. Despite the tough competition and unfavourable outcomes, our Dragon boys exhibited resilience and determination throughout the tournament, even though they failed to qualify for the semifinals. While victory eluded them, the experience gained on the international stage will undoubtedly serve as a stepping stone for future matches. U16-SAFF Championship, 2023 (Changlimithang National Stadium) The journey began with the U16-SAFF Championship, held on Bhutanese soil at the iconic Changlimithang National Stadium. It was the first international match held in the country after the pandemic, and hopes were high. Fans were eager to witness our young talents shine. Unfortunately, Bhutan couldn’t make it to the semifinals after losing to Pakistan and the Maldives with scorelines of 2-1 and 3-2, leaving spectators with mixed feelings. In the match against the Maldives, the future of Bhutan Football and the captain, Sonam Dorji, scored a fabulous long shot and doubled his tally in the additional minutes of the first half.  Our first International Match held in the country after the pandemic What a way to celebrate your first goal for the country in front of the home supporter However, the game was overturned when he received a second yellow card of the match, leaving Bhutan a goal short of progressing to the semifinals. While the outcome was not ideal, it marked an opportunity for the young Bhutanese footballers to learn and grow, setting the stage for their future endeavours. U19-SAFF Championship, 2023 (Nepal) Moving on to the U19-SAFF Championship held in Nepal, Bhutan’s young team displayed remarkable determination and talent that made waves in international matches. Under the guidance of Japanese Head Coach Hedaharu Takahashi, these young talents have shown immense potential and promise. Their impressive performances have not only caught the attention of scouts but have also ignited hope for the future of Bhutanese football. In the opening match of Bhutan against Bangladesh, the runners-up of the Championship in the years 2017, 2019, and 2022, the young team showed their determination and bravery by staging a comeback against Bangladesh, securing the first historical win in the tournament over them in years. Highest Scorer of Bhutan and joint Highest scorer of the Tournament, “Jigme Namgyel” Team Bhutan were awarded the “Fair Play” award in the tournament In the second match against the reigning champions and the champions of the tournament, the young boys showed enough resilience, composure, and determination to score the first goal of the match. However, team India scored a goal in each half to secure 3 points and a comeback against us. Despite this, the young Bhutan team advanced to the semifinals of the championship. In the semifinals, the team faced first-time participants, Pakistan. The match was intense, with the boys controlling the game and creating numerous chances, but unfortunately, the game ended in a draw and came down to penalties. Despite giving their all, Bhutan was narrowly knocked out in the tiebreaker. This heart-wrenching defeat was a testament to the resilience and fighting spirit of the young Bhutanese youth. However, there was a silver lining amidst the disappointment. Bhutan’s team was awarded the fair play award of the tournament, reflecting the values of sportsmanship they upheld throughout the competition. Additionally, Jigme Namgyel, a rising star of Bhutanese football, was recognized as the highest goal scorer, sharing this honor with Gwgwmsar Goyary from Team India and Samir Tamang from Nepal. These accolades highlighted Bhutan’s commitment to the beautiful game. International Women’s Friendly Tournament (Senior Women’s Team) – Saudi Arabia Shifting the focus to the senior women’s team, Bhutan’s senior women’s national team participated in the second edition of the International Women’s Friendly Tournament, held in Saudi Arabia. This marked our first international friendly tournament in which our women’s team had ever participated. Bhutan’s Road to the Final During the group stage of the tournament, Bhutan played its first match against Lebanon. Although we had a rough start to the game, we had a bit of bad luck, losing to them with a scoreline of 3-2. Both goals for the Dragon Girls were scored by our rising star, Ms. Deki Lhazom, in the final minutes of the game. The second match of the group stage was played against one of the higher-ranked teams, “Laos,” in which the Dragon girls did well enough to keep the scoreline level, ensuring their progression to the semifinals on goal difference. In the semifinals, the Dragon girls faced the host team and the winners of group B, “Saudi Arabia.” In

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Notice Inviting Expression of Interest- Ticket sales

    Notice Inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) – Ticket Sales The Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) is pleased to invite Expression of Interest (EOI) from interested individuals to sell tickets during the FIFA Qualifier match between Bhutan and Hongkong, China, scheduled for 17 October 2023, at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. Interested individuals can acquire EOI documents from the BFF Finance section by making a non-refundable payment of Nu.300/-. The deadline for submission of your bid is on 6 October 2023 before 2:30 PM.      

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BoB Bhutan Premier League

Tsenda Dorji Scores His 50th Goal For Transport United FC

In a thrilling 32nd match of the ongoing BoB Bhutan Premier League, 2023 between Transport United FC and BFF Academy, Jignam Seltop Dorji ignited the action in the 19th minute, breaking the deadlock with a stunning goal following an exquisite buildup in the final third. However, the joy was short-lived for Transport United FC as Tshenda Dorji found the back of the net in the 29th minute, only to have his effort disallowed due to an offside call. In the 41st minute, Ugyen Thinley made an impactful substitution for the team, injecting fresh energy. Transport United FC continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off in the 45th minute when Tsenda Dorji secured an equalizer after a defensive lapse from BFF Academy and added his second just after 2 minutes in the additional minutes of first half. This goal marked a significant milestone, as it was Tsenda Dorji’s 50th goal since joining the club in 2020. The second half witnessed an explosion of goals from Transport United FC, with Tsenda Dorji netting a sensational hat-trick in the 65th minute, showcasing his extraordinary skills. Phurpa Tenzin joined the scoring spree in the 71st minute, adding to BFF Academy’s misery. The superstar of the match, Tsenda Dorji, displayed his brilliance once again by completing his haul in the 74th minute, bringing his personal goal tally to an impressive five. Nevertheless, in the dying moments of the game, Jigme Namgyel managed to pull one back for BFF Academy, concluding the thrilling contest with a final score of 5-2 in favor of Transport United FC. It was a remarkable performance that showcased Tsenda Dorji’s brilliance and secured a well-deserved victory for his team.

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BoB Bhutan Premier League

Namlha FC Breaks The Hearts Of The Mighties In The 90th Minute

The 32nd match of the ongoing BoB Bhutan Premier League 2023 took place at Changlimithang National Stadium, featuring a clash between Namlha FC and Ugyen Academy FC. Both teams wasted no time in making their presence felt, as they each attempted to score within the first 3 minutes of the match. However, the first significant event of the game occurred in the form of a caution. Ugyen Academy’s jersey No. 6, Tandin Dorji, received a yellow card for a reckless challenge. Remarkably, just 7 minutes later, their captain, Jigme Phuntsho, was handed his second yellow card of the match for a similar infraction. In the 20th minute, Ugyen Academy FC managed to break the deadlock when jersey No. 4, Dilip Gurung, executed a precise header, beautifully assisted by their captain, Jigme Phuntsho, who delivered a perfect freekick. Namlha FC made a tactical move in the 25th minute by making a double substitution. Kinzang Gyelpo was replaced by Tandin, and Tsewang Dorji gave way to Tandin Dorji. Dilip Mongar opened his account of the season for Ugyen Academy FC as he heads the opener of the match. The most pivotal moment of the first half arrived in the 38th minute when Namlha FC was awarded a penalty. This decision came after jersey No. 4 of Ugyen Academy was found guilty of handling the ball inside the penalty area. Following a thorough review conducted through the Review and Replay system, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Tandin, who had been substituted in the 25th minute, assumed the responsibility for the penalty. With remarkable composure, Tandin sprinted toward the ball and, using his weaker foot, expertly deceived the goalkeeper, sending him in the opposite direction. This skilful execution resulted in an equalizing goal for Namlha FC. Despite Ugyen Academy FC’s dominance in the opening half, the score remained level at 1-1. At halftime, Tenzin Wangda entered the game as a substitute for Sonam Yeshey, bolstering their forward line. Despite numerous opportunities, their breakthrough came from halftime substitute Tenzin’s header in the 78th minute, giving them a 1-0 lead. Just after the goal, Namlha FC launched a promising attack, creating a 4 vs. 3 situation, but their striker failed to keep his shot on target. Their next chance came in the 81st minute when the Ugyen Academy FC goalkeeper caught a back pass from his teammate inside the penalty area. However, the ensuing indirect free-kick was blocked and cleared by the defenders. Thinley Phuntsho blasts a super strike in the 90th minute to go level and punches the fist in the air. In the 90th minute, Namlha FC managed to score their second equalizer of the night, courtesy of Thinley Phuntsho, levelling the score at 2-2. With the fourth official indicating 4 minutes of added time, Ugyen Academy FC pushed forward in an attempt to regain the lead but was repeatedly denied by the opposing goalkeeper. At the final whistle, frustration engulfed the Ugyen Academy FC players, as they squandered two leads and failed to secure their first win of the season.

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BoB Bhutan Premier League

Druk Lhayul FC Suffers Their Heaviest Defeat At Woochu Sports Arena

In the 30th match of the ongiong BoB Bhutan Premier League, 2023 between Paro FC and Druk Lhayul FC, Paro FC emerged victorious with a resounding 7-1 scoreline. The game saw a flurry of goals from the home team,  “Paro FC” dominating the proceedings. Kinga Wangchuk opened the scoring for Paro FC in the 11th minute, followed by Kazuo Homma finding the net in the 18th minute. Kinga Wangchuk added another goal in the 21st minute, while Evans Asante extended the lead in the 29th and 43rd minutes. Aung Kyaw managed to pull one back for Druk Lhayul FC from the penalty spot in the 39th minute. Giving Paro FC an upper hand as the game was halted for the second half. Kinga Wangchuk, Jersey No. 11 of Paro FC was awarded the man of the match after showcasing a phenomenal performance against Druk Lhayul FC In the second half, Druk Lhayul FC tried to bounce back for a win but their forward couldn’t convert the chances they were awarded. However, it was Kazuo Homma who added his brace in the 73rd minute besides being a man down for his team and sealed the game in the 81st minute to add his third hat trick of the season from a clinical finish. Additionally, Despite the win for the home team, the match saw a red card issued to Stephen Dang of Paro FC in the 73rd minute for accumulating two yellow cards for a reckless challenge. Kinga Wangchuk of the winning team Paro FC was awarded the Man of the Match award for his remarkable performance. Paro FC’s dominant performance secured a convincing win.

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