Thinley Namgay

Bhutan Cricket recently introduced the Player Grading and Contract System (PGCS) to  assess and reward cricketers based on their performance, fitness, skills, and overall contribution to the sport. 

It is a step towards professionalising cricket in Bhutan and ensuring the sustained growth of the sport across all levels.

The new system aims to motivate players by offering financial rewards for good performance. It also encourages skill improvement and healthy competition while helping Bhutan Cricket manage players more effectively.

PGCS is also designed to enhance Bhutan’s competitiveness in regional and international tournaments.

Bhutan Cricket’s Chief Executive Officer, Damber S Gurung, said 38 players comprising 19 males and 19 females would be selected based on their performance, fitness, and contributions to the national team.

This equitable approach underscores Bhutan Cricket’s commitment to promoting gender equality and supporting the development of both men’s and women’s teams.

“Selection criteria include recent performance, fitness, availability, and overall team impact. Bhutan Cricket has created official Player Selection and Contract Policies to guide this process,” Damber S Gurung said.

PGCS has seven key components: Grading Tiers, Performance-Based Contracts, Eligibility and Selection, Fitness Focus, Transparency and Accountability, Support for Youth Players, and Ethical Standards.

Under the Grading Tiers, players will be ranked in different tiers based on their performance and potential. Each tier will have varying benefits, including bonuses and incentives.

Performance-Based Contracts are linked to players’ performance. Those who perform well will receive contract upgrades and bonuses, while poor performers may face contract reviews.

For eligibility and selection, players must meet specific eligibility criteria, including playing a number of domestic matches and meeting fitness standards. 

To ensure fitness focus, regular fitness assessments will be conducted by Bhutan Cricket to ensure players are physically competent for competitions.

Damber S Gurung said that to maintain transparency and accountability, the system would remain open and transparent. “Players can appeal their grading or selection if they believe it’s unfair.”

Under the Support for Youth Players component, the system supports not just senior players but also emerging talent through youth development programmes designed to groom future stars.

Damber said that ethical standards must be upheld, and players would be required to follow the code of conduct. “Serious breaches will be addressed professionally and legally.”

The contract duration for players is typically a year, with performance and fitness reviews. Players will be assigned to different contract tiers (A, B, C) based on their performance. In some cases, multi-year contracts are expected to be offered to senior or promising players.

This grading system is designed to benefit not only top-tier players but also academy players, who are seen as the future of Bhutanese cricket.

Contracts will be reviewed at the end of each contract period based on match performance (runs, wickets, fielding stats), fitness and physical assessments, team contribution, and attitude.

“If a player faces a long-term injury or other special situations, Bhutan Cricket will review their contract renewal fairly,” Damber said.

Grade A players will earn Nu 30,000 a month, followed by Nu 20,000 for Grade B and Nu 10,000 for Grade C.

Emerging players will earn Nu 5,000 per month.

Under the PGCS, performance bonuses during tournaments will also be offered to players. For instance, if a player sets a world record, Nu 100,000 will be awarded, and Nu 30,000 will be given to players achieving a century or a 10-wicket haul, among other benefits.

Cricketer Ranjung Mikyo Dorji said: “I think PGCS is a very good initiative taken by the cricket board. This will allow players to concentrate more and practice harder for tournaments, unlike before when we weren’t given any money for practice.”

Hoping the initiative will last long, he said: “Slowly, the results on the ground will show.”

The President of Bhutan Cricket, Thinley Wangchuk Dorji, said PGCS was something Bhutan cricket was prioritising for a long time.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t implement it earlier due to budget constraints. However, with an increased budget this year, we have decided to channel resources into this vital and prioritised plan,”he added.

Today, 17,000 players are actively participating in various cricket competitions across the country.