Football: FC Tertons thrashed Druk United FC 24-0 in the second game of the on going Thimphu Women’s League at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu yesterday.

This is the first women’s league to be conducted in the country. A total of six teams are taking part in the competition.

Although the number is less in comparison to the men’s category, the interest shown by the women participants are commendable said one of the spectators at the game.

One of the players from FC Tertons, Dechen Wangmo, said that opportunities such as this will encourage more women participation in the game. “This is a good platform for women to rise in the game that is mostly dominated by men,” she said. “We had been looking for such initiatives from the federation. It is encouraging.”

The first open women’s tournament was held in 2013. The competition was focused more on school going students. There was not much participation from the students then.

FC Tertons’ manager Tshering Phuentsho said that although such initiatives are important for promoting women’s participation in sports, the biggest challenge lies in sustaining the club.  “We have been looking for sponsorship to sustain the club but there is no positive response from anyone yet,” he said. “Apart from providing the girls with the basic requirements like their jerseys, boots, stockings and ground for training, we are not able to provide them anything else at the moment. ”

League manager, Jigme Gyeltshen, said that although there are people who want to promote women’s football in the country, lack of interest from women deters them from forming a team. He added that they are expecting more participation in the next season.

Meanwhile, in the opening game on May 8, Mandala FC overwhelmed Paro United FC 10-0.

Druk United FC will take on Mandala FC on May 14 and FC Tertons will Face Paro United on May 15.

Tshering Dorji | Intern