By Thinley Namgay
With the completion of the league round in 19 dzongkhags, the Bhutan Higher Secondary School Football Championship (BHSSFC) enters the regional round which will be held in central, southern, and eastern regions on July 4.
Fifteen HSSs were selected among 70 HSSs for the regional round organised by the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) and the Department of Youth and Sports (DYS).
Gyalpoizhing HSS, Jakar HSS, Sonamthang Central School (CS), Taktse CS, and Samtengang CS will compete in the single league central regional championship in Bumthang between July 4 and 9. The fixtures will be drawn on July 3.
The southern regional championship in Tsirang between July 11 and 16 will host Norbugang CS, Gelephu HSS, Mendrelgang HSS, Daga HSS, and Chukha HSS.
Lhuentse HSS, Tashitse HSS, Baylling CS, Karmaling HSS and Nganglam CS have qualified for the eastern central regional championship to be held in Samdrupjongkhar from July 20 to 25.
However, the western regional championship is not ready. Thimphu’s district league is yet to complete according to organisers. Only a match has been played.
The championship coordinator Ugyen Dorji said that Thimphu’s district league was halted owing to ground maintenance works at Changlimithang and Changjiji. He said the new artificial turfs are in place and games will be conducted soon.
Ugyen Academy, Royal Academy, and Gongzim Ugyen Dorji HSS have already clinched their spot for the western regional championship.
This year’s championship saw 80 schools compared to 71 schools last year.
The dzongkhag league commenced on April 28, with schools competing on a home-and-away basis under the guidance of school sports instructors.
From the four regional competitions, eight schools will be selected for the national-level competition.
The BHSSFC not only encourages students’ active participation in football but also aims to nurture their talent and provide a platform for young players to develop their skills.
The tournament is organised in collaboration between the BFF and the DYS. The BFF provides technical support and funding, while the DYS coordinates the games.