Bhutan spreads cricket to new districts

The Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB) is taking cricket into four more districts in the country - Wangdue and Punakha in the centre, Sarpang in the south and Paro in the east - in a bid to improve team quality. The project aims to build ground and net facilities to involve more youth to take up the game.

Despite its promising performances at the ACC Challenge level (finalists in recent U15, U19 and Trophy events), the team has struggled against Elite level competition.

Coaching Coordinator Damber Singh Gurung said: "The problem is not just about getting the senior players free from work; it is also the lack of practise matches at home, because there are so few facilities and the weather is so difficult for cricket." Gurung had come out of retirement in order for the national team to make up the numbers at the recent ACC Trophy Elite.

Following an inspection tour of Bhutan earlier this year, ACC Development Manager, Bandula Warnapura, authorized the construction of nets and grounds in Bhutan, earmarking US$43,500 for the project.

Sarpang Higher Secondary School will receive one net while Gelephu Lower Secondary School and Pelrithang Middle Secondary School will receive two nets each along with synthetic matting. The BCCB plans to construct a covered playing area at Gelephu so that people can play cricket even during the monsoons.

In Punakha and Wangdue, Ugyen Academy and Bajothang Higher Secondary School will receive net facilities and synthetic matting. Paro College of Education will receive the same.

BCCB Chief Executive Officer Jigme N Norbu said: "The foundation to a quality and standard cricket in the country can be built in schools so that youth are exposed to the game. Such facilities in schools will help produce good players which will ultimately improve quality of cricket in the country."

For more information, click here