BOTTOM-UP APPROACH – First a junior before the senior national team

18 November, 2009 - Bhutan will have to wait a few more years before it can have its own national basketball team competing in the international arena. The Bhutan Olympic committee (BOC) recently scrapped plans to form a national team that would have represented the country for the next SAARC games in 2010, and other international tournaments.

Although no reasons were offered by BOC officials on halting efforts to form a national team for the next SAARC games, a lack of funds, cash incentives, and therefore a small number of players trying out for the team, reported by Kuensel in September, are the most possible causes. Only 15 players tried out for the team.

BOC officiating secretary general, Tokey Dorji, said, Bhutan would most probably have a national team in “two to three years.” Before that happens, a national junior team (U-16) would have to be formed, he said.

The Bhutan basketball federation (BFF) is planning to use the upcoming coronation basketball tournament, which begins November 19, to scout for potential players. Tokey Dorji said that up to 70 players would be identified, who’d then go on to a winter coaching camp for training. He added that it may be possible to form a junior national team by the end of 2010.

Tokey Dorji, who has coaching and playing experience for around 17 years, said, Bhutan would first have to aspire to reach a regional level standard of play before aiming for higher tournaments. “We can do quite well,” said Tokey Dorji, pointing out that Bhutanese basketball skills are evident by looking at the number of Bhutanese playing for their educational institutions in India. He added that technical help may be sought from abroad to help the junior team.

On whether BOC would be able to adequately finance the junior national team, Tokey Dorji said, funding would still have to be worked out.

According to BOC officials, the formation of a basketball league is also in the pipeline.