News

Babena, Thimphu | 27th March 2025 The Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) proudly inaugurated the headquarters and technical centre building at Babena today, marking a significant milestone in the country’s football development. The grand occasion was graced by His Royal Highness Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, the President of Bhutan Olympic Committee, Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia and IOC Member, along with the President of the Bhutan Football Federation, Dasho Ugen Tsechup, highlighting Bhutan’s commitment to football development. Funded by the FIFA Forward Project 2.0 and support from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the modern facility serves as a dedicated space for administration, a technical centre building including a 40-bed dormitory and training centre. The headquarters will play a crucial role in strengthening the sport’s infrastructure, fostering grassroots development, supporting the national team and clubs.   Speaking at the event, FIFA’s Member Associations Regional Director for Asia and Oceania, Sanjeevan Balasingam, emphasized the transformative impact of FIFA Forward funding on Bhutanese football: “This inauguration represents several years of hard work and fruitful collaboration between FIFA and the Bhutan Football Federation. With the help of FIFA Forward funding, Bhutan has revolutionised its footballing infrastructure. Since 2018, we have seen dozens of new pitches, training centres, and facilities being built or upgraded in the country. Through enhancing this infrastructure, the BFF is making the game’s grassroots development a priority. This will benefit the country’s football ecosystem for years to come.” BFF President Dasho Ugen Tsechup echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude to FIFA and the AFC while underlining the headquarters’ importance in shaping the future of football in Bhutan: “With this new headquarters, we reaffirm our commitment to developing football at all levels. This facility will provide the necessary resources to better serve our football community, from grassroots initiatives to national teams. It will be a hub for planning, training, and creating opportunities for young players to realize their dreams.” The inauguration of the BFF headquarters stands as a symbol of progress, unity, and ambition, signalling a bright future for Bhutanese football.

A strong anti-doping stance, participant safety, and the advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment both on and off the field are all necessary to protect football’s integrity and children’s wellbeing. As part of this commitment, the Department of Education and Skills Development and the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) organized an instructional session at the Bhutan Higher Secondary School Championship. The significance of participant protection, anti-doping policies, and creating a welcoming atmosphere that encourages women’s development and empowerment in sports were all emphasized in this session. In line with this goal, the BFF also organized a child Safeguarding program that focused on all participants, including the escort instructors and stressed the many forms of harassment, good and bad touch, and the reporting mechanism.  Additionally, a program on gender equality and women’s empowerment was held, highlighting the challenges encountered by female athletes and inspiring the next generation. Discussions about building a more inclusive society began with a brief film about gender equality and women’s empowerment. Senior Women’s National players, such as Yeshi Bidha, Sangita Mongar, and Suk Maya, discussed their individual experiences, the challenges they faced, and the perseverance that enabled them to succeed. Elite Female FIFA Referee Choki Om shared her experiences refereeing sports online and urged viewers to break down boundaries and follow their aspirations. All the event featured an engaging Q&A session, where students interacted with the speakers, asking insightful questions about societal expectations, balancing personal and professional goals, and the role of sports in empowering women. The program concluded with a vote of thanks and a photo session, leaving participants motivated to champion gender equality in their own lives. The BFF extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Nima Gyeltshen, Director of the Department of Education and Skills Development and Anti-doping Specialist, for his invaluable contribution to the session. Through these initiatives, the Federation aims to nurture a culture of fairness, respect, and equal opportunity, ensuring football continues to be a positive and empowering influence in Bhutanese society.