One of the many pledges of the government was to develop sports infrastructure, organise sports events, and establish sports and recreation clubs across the country.

The government in its 11FYP report stated that it undertook development of various infrastructure and institutions to promote sports and recreation for healthy living.

“In promoting healthy living, open air gyms were installed in all 20 Dzongkhags. Similarly, four multi-sports halls (MPH) were constructed in Punakha, Phuentsholing, Samdrupjongkhar and Bumthang. In addition, two biking trails were developed in Punakha and Bumthang,” the report states.

Multi-sports hall in Samdrupjongkhar, Phuentsholing, and Punakha were completed in 2017. However, the multi-sports hall in Bumthang that began construction in 2016 will be completed only by early 2019.

Bhutan Olympic Committee’s head of Infra, Kinley Tshering, said the project duration was extended by a year. “The foundation of the sports complex had to be redesigned. The sports will be completed by February next year.”

The public ground adjacent to the MPH will also have astro turf, making it one of the six astro turfs laid by the government in its tenure to promote professionalism in football and other sports.

The project engineer Ugyen Tshering in an earlier interview with Kuensel said that the work to construct the MPH could not begin on time owing to some geological problems at the construction sites. “The area was marshy with high water seepage. The dzongkhag wanted the soil to be tested and it failed the test. The initial design was for footing design, which later had to be changed to raft or mat foundation design to fit the geological stability of the area.”

Chamkhar public ground in Bumthang will also be laid with astro turfs along with the MPH.

The government in its tenure laid astro turfs in Kanglung, Trashigang, Samdrupjongkhar, Phuentsholing, Gyelposhing, and Tsirang.

The government had also pledged to establish a national sports academy.

As pledged by the government, Department of Youth and Sports as the agency responsible for promotion and implementation of sporting activities in schools initiated several sports programme.

The government’s in its tenure saw Bhutan Football Federation establish women’s super league to help women play high-level football competition. The league currently plays eight clubs in Thimphu.

However, no recreation and sports club in the country is supported by funds from the government.

There are about 12 private clubs in the country of which eight clubs are based in Thimphu.

The 11 FYP report states that several sporting committees and international partnerships were also established to promote and strengthen sporting activities in the country. “Support was also provided for participation of Bhutanese athletes in international events.”

Nima

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