A total of 28 teams are participating in the futsal league that started on July 1 at the Youth Development Fund Complex in Thimphu. The league is dedicated to the birth anniversary of his Royal Highness the Gyalsey.

The teams are from Thimphu and Paro. Seven matches will be played everyday until the final. Each team has at least five players. The tournament is held in the league and knock out format. The final match will be played at the Changlimithang stadium on July 16.

Organiser of the tournament from Team Happy, Tashi Wangdi, said, the tournament is held to promote futsal to national and international level. “The event is aimed at keeping youth engaged during the vacation.”

He said that the tournament highlights the importance of fitness and meaningful engagement of youth during the school break and promote sports in the country.

“The event is an initiative of unemployed youth who want to sustain themselves without having to depend on jobs,” he said.

The organisation has proposed to Bhutan Football Federation to allow the top three teams from the tournament to gain automatic qualification for the club league tournament organised by the federation. To encourage women to play the sport, the tournament has two women’s teams playing in the final. The organiser expects more women teams in the next tournament.

The DHI, Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Ltd., Jachung Security Service, Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited, BPC, Ice Beverages, Nima Lotey Fibre Service, National Housing Development Corporation, Newsy Media, Itechnologies, and Athang are supporting the league.

Nima