Thinley Namgay

The Thimphu-based Druk Lhayul FC is now dissolved.

With the exclusion of Lhayul, BFF Academy FC, who didn’t qualify for the top six position last year, has been given a chance to compete in the upcoming Bhutan Premier League (BPL).

Lhayul’s general secretary, Sonam Tenzin, said the club was dissolved because of financial constraints. “There is not a single sponsor for the club this time.”

The management has left it to the players to decide which club they want to join.

According to Sonam Tenzin, the Covid-19 pandemic has effected the club’s financial stability. He said that for the BPL season, the club had to spend between Nu 6 million (M), and 7M besides subsidy from the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF).

For every BPL season, BFF provides Nu 300,000 to each of the 10 participating teams and Nu 50,000 for each team for every away game.

Sonam Tenzin said the club might join the BPL in the future.

Will the absence of Lhayul impact BPL 2024?

Druk Lhayul FC, established in 2021, has been among the top teams in the BPL. In the past years, the team achieved fifth place in 2023, maintained the third position in 2022, and secured fifth place in the 2021 edition of the league.

The team emerged as a strong contender challenging the three established powerhouses in the BPL: Paro FC, Thimphu City FC, and Transport United FC.

A BFF official said that the absence of Druk Lhayul FC would not impact the competitive level of the BPL, adding that Lhayul’s performance had been inconsistent over the last three seasons.

Where are the Lhayul players now?

Goalkeeper Tshering Dhendup, who has joined Thimphu City, said that players from Lhayul have been signed by Thimphu City FC, Transport United FC, Daga United FC, and Phuentsholing Heroes FC.

“As players, we are of course sad after dedicating many seasons to our previous club,” Tshering Dhendup said.

Three Lhayul players have transferred to Thimphu City FC.