Thinley Namgay  

Six Bhutanese athletes are training in Thailand for the Asian Games next year in China.

Badminton players Anish Gurung and Jimba Sangay Lhendup landed in Thailand on August 21 to practise at Thailand’s Ponsana Badminton Academy.

They have secured the yearlong training through the Olympic Solidarity Programme’s Continental Athletes Support Grant.

Jimba Sangay Lhendup, 20, said that he was looking forward to at least bringing a medal for the country. He has been playing badminton since his school days.

Boxers Tashi Wangdi and Tenzin Drugyel have started their yearlong training in Thailand on June 26. They were also sent through Olympic Solidarity Programme after an agreement was signed between the Asian Boxing Confederation, Thailand Boxing Association and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC).

Thailand is one of the Asian countries that have won a good number of medals in the Olympics and training Bhutanese athletes in Thailand is expected to improve their skills.

Bhutan Boxing Federation’s coach Trashi Phuntsho said that besides the upcoming Asian Games, the two boxers will also prepare for the Paris Olympics in 2024.  “Paris Olympics is important for us.”

He said the organisers could extend the training period depending on their performance.

Meanwhile, two swimmers Sangay Tenzin and Kinley Lhendup will also continue training in Thailand. They have been in Thailand since 2019.