Thinley Namgay

Deki Lhazom, striker of the national senior women’s football team, made the country proud by winning the Golden Boot as the highest goal scorer at the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship in Nepal, which concluded on October 30.

Team Bhutan also received the Fair Play award for maintaining professionalism both on and off the pitch.

Deki Lhazom’s performance and the team’s achievements at the championship showcased dedication, skill, and resilience of Bhutanese women footballers.

A first-year student at Royal Thimphu College, she scored eight goals, followed by Nepal’s Rekha Poudel with seven goals, and Bangladesh’s Tohura Khatun with five. Of the four games Bhutan played, Deki  Lhazom was named Player of the Match twice, against Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

She set new records in the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship, becoming the first Bhutanese to score eight goals, win the Golden Boot, and score five goals in a single match in an international competition.

However, during the award ceremony, Deki lhazom and her teammates could not make it to the ground for safety reasons.

Deki Lhazom said: “Winning the highest goal scorer award, even though we didn’t make it to the final, is a mix of pride and bittersweetness. This SAFF journey was challenging but also rewarding.”

She said that scoring against the defending champions, Bangladesh, and achieving her first-ever hat trick were major milestones. She felt that each goal reflected the hard work that the team put into this tournament.

“Our wins against the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and the draw with Nepal, were all steps forward. This award is a reminder that even though we fell short of our ultimate goal, the journey was worth every moment,” she said.

This year’s SAFF tournament posed several challenges for Team Bhutan. The team faced the loss of key players due to injuries, while others departed for Australia. Limited preparation time compounded these difficulties, as many players had to balance their studies alongside rigorous training. Despite these setbacks, the team displayed unwavering determination and gave their best effort.

Bangladesh claimed victory in this year’s SAFF Championship, defeating host Nepal 2-1 in a thrilling final. Bangladeshi midfielder Ritu Porna Chakma was awarded the title of Most Valuable Player, while goalie Rupna Chakma earned the award for Best Goalkeeper.

The tournament’s semifinal between Nepal and India on October 27, however, witnessed an unusual and tense scene. Bhutanese referee Choki Om officiated the match, and in the second half, she faced intense backlash from Nepali fans following a disallowed goal. The game was brought to a standstill for an hour as frustrated fans voiced their displeasure, with some throwing objects onto the field. Additional security personnel were called in to manage the situation.

The situation escalated further when a Nepali player received a red card after a confrontation with the referee, sparking additional protests from the home crowd.

Deki Lhazom, reflecting on the incident, said, “As players and fans, we may not always agree with every decision made by the referee. However, I firmly believe that respecting the referee’s authority is essential for the integrity of the game.”

 She added that concerns about refereeing decisions should be addressed through formal channels after the game, rather than disrupting it. “By maintaining respect for the officials, we help uphold the spirit of fair play and create a positive environment for everyone involved.”

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) responded to the incident in an official statement on October 28, expressing concern over the disruptions.

“The AIFF will write to SAFF regarding the incidents and will take it up at the appropriate platform. The India U-19 women’s team faced a similar situation in a recent SAFF tournament, and the AIFF feels such incidents are detrimental to the development of football in the region,” the statement read.