… following the arrival of a new sponsor 

Football: In what could further improve the standard of the sport, the prize money for the winners of the upcoming Yanmer Thimphu Premier League, previously known as the Thimphu A division league, has been increased to Nu 400,000.

The renaming of the competition to Yanmer Thimphu Premier League was announced at a press conference yesterday.

Yanmer is a Japanese diesel engine manufacturing company that also sponsors football teams Manchester United of the United Kingdom and Borussia Dortmund of Germany. The company is also a key sponsor for the Asian Football Confederation Champions league and the Japanese Football League.

Yanmer is now the main sponsor of the league.

Besides the winners getting Nu 400,000, which is an increase of 300 percent, with the first and second runners up getting Nu 200,000 and Nu 100,000 respectively.

Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) general secretary, Ugyen Wangchhuk said that with the increased prize money in the tournament, teams should bring in more talented players into the game. “The standard of football should improve with this initiative,” he said.

BBF media spokesperson, Phuntsho Wangdi said that the expenditure for the entire tournament, including the grant money, will be borne by Yanmer.

A total of seven clubs will be taking part in the league which will begin on April 4 at the Changlimethang stadium. The fixture for the tournament has already been drawn and the first match of the league will be between Thimphu FC and Thimphu City FC at 4pm.

Representatives of the participating teams and BFF officials present at the conference decided to charge a nominal entry fee for the public during the match. During weekdays, Nu 10 will be charged and Nu 20 during weekends. Students will be charged Nu 5 only.

By Younten Tshedup 

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