Thinley Namgay  

Bhutan Tennis Federation (BTF) is gearing up to become a fully-fledged member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) after completing the ongoing tennis courts resurfacing work in Thimphu.

Maintenance works on the court started in October last year and was supposed to finish by the end of January this year but with the second lockdown disrupting the work, it is expected to complete by end of this month or mid-March.

BTF is initiating this major resurfacing work after 15 years. Three courts’ maintenance work was handed to the contractor, while the federation is executing work on other court by exploring funds.

General secretary and national coach at BTF, Tshering Namgay, said around 70 percent of the work had been completed. “BTF will try to become a full member of the ITF by conducting international tournaments. “BTF is gearing up to fulfil this aspiration.”

The total budget for the resurfacing work is Nu 6 million (M). The government provided Nu 4M, and the ITF granted Nu 2M.  The 2M grant from ITF is for lighting.

“Six courts’ were needed as per the ITF requirement to become its member, but we have four courts which is the minimum requirement,” Tshering Namgay said.

Meanwhile, BTF continues to develop tennis through squad training, competitions between schools from different dzongkhags, coaching camps, mini tennis tournament, junior tennis tournament, an Olympic solidarity level one coaching, India-Bhutan friendship tennis tournament and Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel national open tennis tournament.

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