Thinley Namgay

Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) team will play Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) in the final game of the Institutional Championship, 2019, on Friday at Changlimithang.

BFF knocked out Bank of Bhutan (BOB) 3-2 in the second semifinal on November 25 to book a place in the final.

Earlier on November 24, JDWNRH beat Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), in a penalty shoot out, after a 2-2 draw, in the first semifinal match.

The tournament is the third edition organised by Thimphu City FC (TCFC). 15 teams from Bhutan Airlines, Druk Air, RBP, Bhutan Post, BoB, BFF, Bhutan Power Corporation, Bhutan Broadcasting Service, Department of Culture, Gross National Happiness Commission, JDWNRH, Sherig, State Trading Corporation of Bhutan Limited and Tashi InfoTech took part in the tournament.

All players in the championship were regular staff.

TCFC’s General Manager, Pema Rinchen, said that to avoid controversy and cheating, they  made all players to produce their  salary sheet to prove that they belong to the organisation. “Players are all regular employee and we didn’t allowed those on contract or interns.”

The number of teams decreased this year. “The reasons could be not reaching information to the departments and organisations and the Financial Institutional Cup which coincided with our tournament dates,” said Pema Rinchen.  A total of 19 teams participated last year.

An entry fee of Nu 30,000 was collected from each team. The winner will be awarded a cash prize of Nu 80, 000 and the trophy followed by runners up with a cash prize of Nu 40,000.

Bhutan Football Federation is the defending champion. The institutional championship is an annual tournament.

Pema Rinchen said that besides Institutional Championship, TUFC also organise grassroots programmes for under-10 and under -15 children throughout the year to develop football in the country. “We are planning to organise Departmental Futsal Championship soon.”

TUFC currently have 23 fully paid players with four permanent staffs on monthly salary.

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