Thinley Namgay     

The Bhutanese tennis team is yet to win a game in the ongoing International Tennis Federation (ITF) Asia 14 and Under Development Championships 2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Bhutan lost six consecutive games as of yesterday. Players from the Maldives and the Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) won against Bhutan in the single category.

Female participants – Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo and Lhasel Puendharika will face players from Myanmar today in the double category.

Lhasel Puendharica will also play Naba Nishan of The Maldives in the single category today. On January 9, Yen Ni Chiang of Taiwan routed her 6-1, 6-0.

Similarly, Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo lost to Akter Sumiya of Bangladesh 0-4,0-4 yesterday. She also suffered a defeat against Imani Moosa Kalim of the Maldives 0-6,0-6 in an earlier match.

Male players, Khedrup Norbu Jurmi and Tshering Dorji lost to players from Myanmar 6-0, 6-0 yesterday in the double category.

Meanwhile, Adam Aal Niyaz of the Maldives defeated Khedrup Norbu Jurmi 6-2, 6-0 on January 9. He will play Zolbadar Urnukh of Mongolia today.

Tshering Dorji will face Ratanak Phors of Cambodia today. In the previous game, he lost to Lyen Liu of Taiwan 0-6, 0-6.

Bhutan Tennis Federation’s General secretary, Tshering Namgay, said. “Except for one player, it is the first international appearance for others.”

He said that the fire incident at BTF’s office and school examinations have hindered the training for the players.

Tshering Namgay said the tournament is divided into two rounds, and players have an opportunity in the second round.  He said the first round comprises single and double categories until January 13. “After that, the next round will start with a new fixture from January 14 to 19.”

Team Bhutan comprising four athletes, and an official landed in Bangladesh on January 8 to take part in the 10-day tournament which began on January 9. Ten Asian countries are competing in the championship.