Bhutan’s football forward star Chencho Gyeltshen is all set to join Chittagong Abahani of Bangladesh ahead of the second leg of the Bangladesh Premier League. He is travelling to Bangladesh within a week to join the team.

The 20-year-old spent his last season in Thailand’s second tier after being signed by premier league outfit Buriram United.

“I was contacted by Chittagong Abahani’s Serbian coach [former coach Jozef Pavlik] and decided to join the club, who are one of the best in Bangladesh,” Chencho was quoted by Bangladeshi media. “As I want to play in different leagues, I hope to do well in Bangladesh. I will be coming by the 15th of this month.”

Chencho said his reputation is growing as one of the best forwards in South Asia by helping Bhutan seal a final round qualification spot for the 2019 Asian Federation Cup with a brace in their 3-1 win over Bangladesh on Monday night in Thimphu.

Shakil Mahmud Chowdhury, football manger of Chittagong Abahani, confirmed in Dhaka that Chencho will play for Chittagong Abahani from the second leg of the ongoing professional football league.

Chencho Gyeltshen has reached in Dhaka to play for Chittagong Abahani in the second leg of the Bangladesh Premier League, but the first day experience of the Bhutan striker at the Shahjalal International Airport was not good at all.

The 20-year-old forward, who had scored two goals against Bangladesh earlier this month as the Bhutan booked a place in the final round of Asian Cup Qualifiers at Bangladesh’s expense, was confined inside the airport for about nine hours after his flight landed at 9:20 in the morning.

The reason for this was a lack of communication as Chencho had arrived here without acquiring a prior visa as he thought visa for Bangladesh would be made available on arrival. So he did not get clearance from the immigration police initially, and only after the Bhutan Embassy in Dhaka, in collaboration with Bangladesh Football Federation, arranged him five days’ of visa, the forward was allowed to leave the airport, informed BFF’s protocol officer Hamiduzzaman Noman.

Hobart-based Bhutanese soccer club Druk Sporting United hosted two-day multicultural soccer competition Hobart Friendship Cup that concluded on Sunday, 16 April. The club is holding the annual event for last four consecutive years.

According to Bhim Neopaney, chairperson of the organising committee, the competition was organised with objective to engage youths in productive activities to promote social participation/inclusion and healthy living to end feelings of social isolation and provide Bhutanese Community to build relationship and partnership with local service providers and sporting clubs on an ongoing basis.

The event saw the participation of nine male and two female soccer teams representing diverse communities across Tasmania. The event also includes Nepali cultural dance besides sporting activities.

Australian Bhutanese Society of Northern Tasmania and Afghani Launceston became winner and runner up of the tournament in men’s category while organising Druk Sporting Club won the trophy of the female competition.

Besides Bhutanese soccer teams, Afghani, Ethiopian, Sudanese, Nepalese, Burmese and University of Tasmania teams participated this multicultural event.

मलेसियामा जारी एसीसी यू–१९ इस्टर्न रिजन प्रतियोगिताको आफ्नो दोस्रो खेलमा नेपालले भुटानलाई ५० रनमा अलआउट गरेको छ । बुधबार टस जितेर ब्याटिङ रोजेको भुटान २८ ओभर मात्र टिक्यो ।

भुटानका लागि कप्तान टासी फुन्त्सोले सर्वाधिक १६ र ओपनर उगेन दोर्जीले १३ रन जोडे । अन्य कुनै ब्याट्सम्यानले दोहोरो अंक छुन सकेनन् । नेपालका लागि कप्तान दिपेन्द्र सिंह ऐरीले ५ विकेट लिए भने सन्दीप लामिछानेले ४ ब्याट्सम्यानलाई पेभेलियन फर्काए । भुटानको पहिलो विकेट नन्दन यादवले लिएका थिए ।

भुटानविरुद्ध जित हात पारेमा नेपाल सेमिफाइनल पुग्नेछ । नेपाल प्रतियोगिताको प्रमुख दाबेदार टिम हो । नेपालले भुटानलाई पराजित गरे समूह ‘ए’ बाट सिंगापुर पनि सेमिफाइनल पुग्नेछ । सिंगापुरले समूह चरणका पहिलो दुई खेल जितिसकेको छ । सिंगापुरले भुटानलाई ९ विकेट र थाइल्यान्डलाई ९२ रनले पराजित गरेको थियो ।

Bhutanese football team Druk Stars lost to Nepal Army by a hammering 0-5 at the ongoing Second Madan Bhandari Memorial Itahari Gold cup in Itahari, Nepal on Monday.

With this win, Nepal Army enters the semi-final of the tournament.

Nepal Army took the lead with first goal scored by Pradip Tamang on 20th minute of the first half followed by his second score for the Nepal Amy on 41st minutes before break.

Dinesh Henjan scored third goal for the Nepalese team on 16th minutes of the second half making it almost impossible for the Bhutanese team to win the match thereafter. On 30th minutes, Tanka Basnet increased the lead for Nepal army by another score. With Henjan scoring second goal in his name four minutes later, Nepal Army set the easy win.

Bhutan team play well at the beginning of the match but failed to keep up the spirit. Despite changing goal keeper, Bhutanese team failed to make any scoring attempts. Bhutanese team had earlier lost to Rupandehi XI by 2-3.

Tamang became the man of the match and he received Rs 10,000 cash.

Organised by Rastriya Jagriti Club Itahari, the winner of the match will receive the cash of Rs 1.2 million and gold trophy while runner up will receive Rs 500,000.

Rigzin Tenzin and Kinley Yangzom, the selected 12 year old ambassadors from Bhutan will be on their way to Russia on June 8th to participate in the 6th Gazprom Football for Friendship International Programme. They will be joined by kids from over 210 countries around the world, in Moscow.

Rigzin Tenzin, selected in the role of a forward will be a part of the 32 International Teams of Friendship that play against each other in the Gazprom Football for Friendship International Championship. The young footballer will be a part of the “King Cobra” team, and will undergo a 3 day training camp in Moscow, to get used to the playing conditions and get ample practice with his team, before the start of the championship. Each International Team of Friendship will be trained by 14-16 year old young coaches from different countries. The young footballers will also participate in workshops and sessions, conducted by renowned celebrities.

Rigzin, who hails from Gelephu, started playing football at the age of 8. He has participated in football tournaments across the country and has played a pivotal role in the success of the teams that he has been a part of. He currently plays for the Bhutan National Under 13 Football Team, and dreams to play for a professional football club in the future, like his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. A Real Madrid FC fan, this talented, young footballer believes it is important to promote friendship, equality and peace because he believes that we need each of these three things to brighten our world.

At the F4F Programme in Russia, Rigzin Tenzin will be accompanied by Kinley Yangzom, who will act as a young journalist and cover all the local and global activities of the program as part of the International Children’s Press Center. The Press Centre acts as hub for the young journalists who gather information, make reports, write news articles and prepare materials on the initiatives implemented as part of the Programme.

A student of Lobesa Lower Secondary School in Punakha District, Kinley is a football enthusiast. Football is the most popular sport in her village and she believes that the game helps to unite people from different regions and countries. An avid reader and writer, Kinley hopes to be a journalist in the future. A FC Barcelona fan, she considers Lionel Messi as her favorite player.

Rigzin Tenzin and Kinley Yangzom will also participate in the Sixth Football for Friendship International Children’s Forum in Russia, which will provide the youngsters an opportunity to meet their peers from other countries, share their experiences, and discuss with famous footballers and journalists on how to promote key values of the F4F Programme around the world. The International Children’s F4F Forum will be participated by famous sportsmen, journalists, and public figures who support the project and provide their thoughts and inspiration to the young athletes.

The young ambassadors will also participate in the Nine Values School programme, where they will be taught about the 9 key values of the F4F programme (friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour, under the guidance of young coaches and the supervision of famous players.

नेपाली राष्ट्रिय फुटबल टोलीका फरवार्डद्वय नवयुग श्रेष्ठ र जर्जप्रिन्स कार्की तथा डिफेन्डर जितेन्द्र कार्कीले भुटानी क्लबबाट खेल्ने भएका छन् । भुटानको पश्चिमी जिल्ला पारोमा रहेको पारो फुटबल क्लबबाट उनीहरूले खेल्ने भएका हुन् ।

भुटानको राष्ट्रिय लिगमा छनोट हुनका लागि हुने दुई प्लेअफ खेलमा उनीहरूले पारो एफसीको प्रतिनिधित्व गर्नेछन् । तीनै खेलाडी त्रिभुवन आर्मी क्लबसँग आबद्ध छन् ।

एक वर्षअघि स्थापना भएको पारो एफसीले प्लेअफमा पारो युनाइटेड फुटबल क्लबको सामना गर्नेछ । हाललाई तीनै खेलाडीले प्लेअफका लागि मात्र खेल्ने सम्झौता गरेका छन् । प्लेअफको पहिलो खेल पारोको घरेलु मैदान वोचुमा जुन १३ मा हुनेछ । दोस्रो लेग १५ जुनमा खेलिनेछ । यो प्लेअफ विजेता भुटानको राष्ट्रिय लिगमा छनोट हुनेछ ।

नेपाली राष्ट्रिय टोलीबाट बंगबन्धु गोल्डकप र दक्षिण एसियाली खेलकुद (साग) मा स्वर्ण पदक दिलाउन मुख्य भूमिका खेलेका नवयुगले पहिलोपल्ट विदेशी लिगमा खेल्ने अवसर पाउन लाग्दै निकै खुसी लागेको बताए । ‘विदेशी लिगमा खेल्ने पहिलो अनुभव हो । आफूलाई सिद्ध पार्ने दबाब त छ नै । सागसँगै यसलाई अवसरको रूपमा पनि लिएको छु,’ उनले भने ।

राष्ट्रिय टोलीबाट खेलिसकेका डिफेन्डर जितेन्द्रले पनि राम्रो अवसर भएकाले नै स्विकारे बताए । ‘सुगन (तण्डुकार) दाइमार्फत राम्रो अवसर प्राप्त गर्‍यौं । विदेशी लिगमा खेलेको अनुभव पनि बटुल्न पाइने हुनाले जान खोजेका हौं । आफूले सक्दो मिहिनेत गरेर राम्रो नतिजा ल्याउने लक्ष्य छ,’ कार्कीले भने ।

गतवर्ष मात्र राष्ट्रिय टोलीबाट डेब्यू गरेका फरवार्ड जर्जप्रिन्सले पनि भुटान जाँदैछन् । एएफसी एसियन कपअन्तर्गत ताजिकिस्तानविरुद्ध नेपालमा भएको खेलबाट गरेका प्रिन्स त्यसयता राष्ट्रिय टोलीमा नियमित पर्दै आएका छन् ।

Source: Kantipur

The emerging club of the Sudanese-Australians A-Town FC has lifted the winning trophy of Fourth Dragon Cup 2018 with 1-0 score against Afghani-Australian team 11-Camel FC.

The two-day soccer tournament organised by Adelaide Dragon Sporting Club (ADSC), the emerging soccer team of the Bhutanese Australian in South Australia, had received enthusiastic response from the multicultural clubs.

According to the organisers, the tournament had 12 participating teams from Bhutanese, Afghani, African, Indian and Nepalese communities. Additionally, there were four girls clubs playing the tournament and two junior boys clubs under 12 years. The Afghani-Australian team won the girls’ tournament.

The annual event has been running for last four years. ‘We aim to engage young people in creative activities, help them achieve their all-round development and build inter-cultural social harmony’, organiser Dhan Rai said.

Transport United FC and Ugyen Academy will face for the winning spot in the first edition of Samtse Championship on January 26.

Ugyen Academy FC quashed Thimphu City FC in penalty shootout to secure position in the final while two-time national league champion Transport United FC won semi against Paro FC.

The first ever Samtse Championship is expected to enhance the standard of football in the country and provide District Sports Associations across the country to come up with their local teams.

A total of nine teams from Bhutan and India took part in the competition organised by Bhutan Football Federation.

Bhutan has lost to Bangladesh by 0-2 and was unable to to secure a semi-final berth in the SAFF Women’s Championship at the Shahid Rangashala in Biratnagar, Nepal on Thursday.

Bhutan had earlier lost to Nepal 0-3 from Group ‘A’. Bhutan are out of the tournament with two defeats in two games. The last Group ‘A’ match between Nepal and Bangladesh on Saturday will decide the pool winners.

After a goalless first half, rejuvenated Bangladesh struck twice to dump Bhutan out of the competition. Despite dominating the show and putting Bhutan under pressure, Bangladesh failed to break the deadlock before the interval. It took Bangladesh just a minute after resumption to take the lead as vice captain Most Mishrat Jahan Moushumiand scored for them. Bangladesh sealed their victory as skipper Sabina Khatun added the second five minutes from time in a solo effort.

“I was not disappointed despite our team failing to score in the first half as we were dictating the game. I urged players to continue with the same momentum after the break,” said Bangladeshi coach Golam Robbani Choton. “Our persistence finally told in the second half as we were able to breach the Bhutanese defence twice,” said Robbani. Bhutan’s Korean coach Sung Jea Lee was satisfies by his team’s performance despite losing the match. “We were much better against Bangladesh than they were against Nepal on Tuesday. We let in two needless goals and lost the match,” Lee said.

After squandering quite a number of chances, Bangladesh struck in the first minute after restart when Moushami’s header from the crowded zone in Monika Chakma corner kissed the net.

Bhutan’s first and only real attempt on goal came in the 73rd minute as Dorji Edon’s overhead kick in Sonam Choden corner sailed inches above the bar. Bangladesh doubled their advantage in the 85th minute thanks to the individual brilliance as skipper Khatun rounded up two defenders, beat goalie Monger before firing in the goal. Khatun almost widened the winning margin in the stoppage time but her tap-in effort went agonisingly wide of the target.

The world cup dream is distant for Bhutan but it started with positive vibe on the first qualifying match against Guam.

A 35th-minute goal from Tshering Dorji took Bhutan to an important 1-0 win over Guam in the first leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers first round at the picturesque Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on Thursday. The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday.

Bhutan came off the blocks flying with the Dragon Boys almost scoring with a spectacular effort in the sixth minute. Forward Chuma Dorji Lepcha applied the sweetest of connection with an overhead kick on target, but Guam goalkeeper Dallas Jaye pulled off an equally impressive save to keep the score level.

Guam had the opportunity to score against the run of play when they were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box in the 13th minute as Bhutan goalkeeper Tshering Dendup handled a back pass. However, the home team’s defensive wall did its job to block the visitors’ effort.

Chencho Gyeltshen, who plies his trade in India with Bengaluru FC, was turning out be a nuisance for the Guam defence along the left wing and he carved out another chance a couple of minutes later which was fired inches wide of the goal by Karma Shedrup Tshering.

Another chance fell for the visitors in the 24th minute when Ian Mariano went one-on-one with goalkeeper Dendup who produced a brilliant save with his foot to deflect the Guam forward’s effort just wide of the goal.

Punya Foundation has announced hosting table tennis competition and entertainment programme in Adelaide on July 27. The foundation said the event will be held annually, hereafter.

Supported by the Lions Club of Angle Vale and community individuals, the event is aimed at providing opportunity to young and adults in sports, engaging older community members for interaction and socialisation to help promote their health and wellbeing and engaging community and where ever possible, the Foundation visions to generate funds to further its mission of Justice through Education and Empowerment

Kashi Adhikari of Punya Foundation said participating in the event shall attract a small entry fee.

Female archer Karma has become the first athlete from Bhutan to qualify an Olympic quota place in any sport. She has won a recurve women’s archery spot for Tokyo 2020 during the Asian continental qualification tournament in Bangkok on Friday.

The 31st seed in the quota tournament, she defeated Rand Saad Al Mashhadani and Niloofar Alipoor, both 6-2, and then Waraporn Phutdee, 6-4.

Karma trailed Malaysia’s Nur Aliya Ghapar, 5-3, after four sets quarterfinal. Ghapar shot a four in the fifth, allowing the Bhutanese 29-year-old to level the match and force a shoot-off. Karma delivered the first arrow of the tiebreak, an X10. Ten points, shot fast in gusting wind. It was too good for her Malaysian opponent, who shot a nine. Karma had won.

“It’s the first time for Bhutan to compete in a quarterfinal so I feel very happy and very lucky to shoot,” said 29-year old Karma. “I feel my dream comes true. Before, it was a wildcard entry for me. Now I can compete with others, thank you so much.”

Karma has been specialising in Olympics-style archery since 2009 and has taken part in more than a dozen international competitions, winning medals for the country. She made her international debut in 2012 at the London Olympics.

The country has competed in every Olympic archery, the country’s national game, since Los Angeles in 1984, a year after king formed Bhutan Olympic Committee, but always received universality invitations. Karma had one of these free tickets for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Universality invitations are awarded to smaller or developing sporting nations to ensure diversity at the Games.With the number of universality tickets being reduced from three per gender at Rio 2016 to two at Tokyo 2020, there was no certainty that Bhutan would continue to receive a free quota.

In the history of Bhutanese football, the national U-23 team secured its highest success – laying the final with Nepal in the South Asian games held in Kathmandu this week. Despite the loss, the success was impressive.

Bhutan’s national team settled for silver medal but the team won hearts of thousands of Bhutanese and football fans alike. Bhutan had lost its first meeting with Nepal in the tournament. 

Nepal won the game by 2-1 but under heavy pressure in their home ground and huge domestic supporters.

In a highly contested game, Abhisek Rijal broke the deadlock in the 17th minute to give Nepal an early lead, but skipper Chencho Gyeltshen grabbed the equaliser in the 37th minute reigniting home for Bhutanese team. It was almost a shock for experienced Nepal team and their huge crowd. 

Sunil Bal’s perfect cross in 54th minute to double the lead and sealed off the match in favour of Nepal. 

Except the game against Nepal, team Bhutan beat Bangladesh 1-0, Maldives 2-1, and  Sri Lanka 3-0.

Team captain Chencho Gyeltshen and Chimi Dorji scored two goals each while Phub Thinley, Dawa Tshering and Yeshey Dorji scored one each.

This is the fourth time Nepal’s under-23 team has won the title after holding three titles in 1984, 1993, and 2016.

Bhutanese Australian Association of South Australia (BAASA) has said the planned Bhutanese Australian and New Zealand soccer and volleyball carnival has been postponed until further notice. 

The tournament was planned for this season in South Australia where over a dozen football teams were expected to join from across Australia and New Zealand. The tournament is being organised since 2011 by different states in Australia while it was the first time New Zealand Bhutanese soccer team agreed to join the competition.

In a circular, BAASA chairperson Lal Rai said, “We all are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted within the Australia and across the globe. The federal and state governments of Australia have enforced the social distancing rules and health measures to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.”

“Recently, we have been observing that escalation of COVID-19 development has been spiking in Victoria and travel restrictions have also been implemented.”

He further said, “Considering the health and safety of community members, players and guests, BAASA has concluded that we are not in good position to organise the tournaments this year at this critical stage and decided to postpone the tournament for the next year.”

He said further information about new dates and times will be communicated on due course.

“BAASA deeply regrets for the inconvenience that has been caused by decision that we have made. Bhutanese Australian Association of South Australia Inc. would like to extend the sincere thank you for your patience and cooperation at this difficult and challenging time.”