Football enthusiasts in Monggar can soon look forward to playing on the Gyalpoizhing artificial turf ground even at nights.
The recreational facility now has floodlights (broad-beamed, high intensity artificial lights) installed, encouraging more football lovers to come and play. Although the night game bookings are yet to open officially, the lights were used during the recent ‘Gyalpoizhing Open Football Tournament.’
This helped the organisers to host more games and at the same time, take in more teams without having to worry about the tournament getting dragged.
For now, there are some technical works regarding the lights to be completed before providing the facility.
“Now, I feel like playing the football almost every day. With the facility, we can play both day and night. I am happy the lights have been installed,” said one of the football enthusiasts, Yeshi Nidup.
Students who love the sport said, the floodlights will enable them to play at nights during summer. “Gyalpoizhing is too hot during summer. Therefore, all the people of eastern Bhutan can play football in the floodlight,” added a student of Gyalpoizhing College, Chimi.
Currently, the Monggar Sports Association charges Nu 2,200 as a ground fee for a match during the day. The fee for the night games is yet to be fixed.
The Government of India funded the construction of the artificial turf ground, worth over Nu 17m. The Bhutan Olympic Committee handed it over to Monggar Dzongkhag last year.
