Taekwondo: The lack of budget remains one of the biggest challenges when it comes to managing a sports federation in the country today.

During the fourth Bhutan Taekwondo Federation’s (BTF) General Assembly that was conducted in Thimphu yesterday, representatives from 15 Dzongkhag Taekwondo Association (DTA) said that the budget allocated to conduct activities in the dzongkhags is not enough.

BTF received the largest budget allocation of Nu 13.94 million (M) for the 2015-16 fiscal year. However, the budget was reduced to about Nu 10.90M in the 2016-17 fiscal year. The federation introduced two new DTAs – Thimphu and Samdrupjongkhar – last year, taking the total number of DTAs to 15.

The reduction in the budget, according to the DTA representatives, led to shortage of fund while conducting activities planned by the associations. Officials from the federation said that having one of the biggest bases compared with the rest of the National Sports Federations (NSFs), BTF receives more funds compared to other NSFs.

This, however, poses additional challenges for the federation while proposing its annual budget, including the budget of the 15 DTAs under the federation. Officials said that the large amount proposed, therefore, would be thoroughly scrutinised before the release.

Another issue raised by the representatives was about the need for additional coaches in the dzongkhags. With more than one taekwondo club in each dzongkhag, general secretaries and presidents from Mongar, Trongsa, Samdrupjongkhar, Paro and Lhuentse suggested the need for additional coaches.

Although the federation currently has 16 coaches, Thimphu, Samdrupjongkhar, Sarpang and Wangdue do not have coaches. BTF in the 12th Plan has proposed an addition of 24 new coaches to curb the shortage. The federation plans to recruit five coaches annually.

The Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) has also approved the federation’s request to regularise the coaches and staff with BTF. The committee approved regularisation of 12 coaches and five staff in November last year.

Younten Tshedup 

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