|
[media id=88 width=320 height=260]
|
|---|
Of the many sporting events that Bhutan took part at the international level, one was the participation in the Asian Football Confederation U13 girls Football Tournament in Sri Lanka this month.
Our reporter, Yeshey Tshokey, who travelled with the girls, said there were highs and lows but overall the girls did very well in the tournament. They returned home after being placed in the fourth position. Six countries including Bhutan took part in the tournament.
The team underwent vigorous training sessions, months ahead of the tournament. A day before leaving for Sri Lanka, the team also visited the Dechenphug lhakhang for luck and blessings.
It was on 7th, the day that most girls would not forget. They could not contain their excitement and sang the entire way from the capital till Paro. For many of them, it was their first trip outside Bhutan.
At the airport in Thailand, the girls were thoroughly amazed at the sights and sounds, unlike anything they had ever experienced in their lives. Long flight did not bother them. They were keen on exploring the new world they had stepped into.
It was quite another experience when the girls discovered that they could watch movies on the flight to Sri Lanka, and they were excited when they realized that they could also play games on the screen in front of them. The TV screens were a good distraction for some of the girls who were prone to getting air-sick, as well.
The next day, was a day of relaxation, after a long flight and an even longer wait at the airport which saw the team reach their hotel only at 3am.
Until their match on the 10th, the girls had practice sessions, and theory classes at the hotel.
In their free time, the girls loved to jump into the hotel’s swimming pool. Many of them even learned to swim there. Swimming was also sometimes a reward for the girls when they won a game, or behaved very well.
On the 10th of March, Bhutan’s first match was against Iran. Unfortunately, Bhutan lost the match. Iran won by five goals, while Bhutan netted only one.
The next two days, however, proved lucky and victorious for the Bhutanese team. Bhutan won both the matches against Palestine and Jordan.
The team, their Coach and the team manager were filled with pride and joy. And they had reason to be so, as it was Bhutan’s first ever win, in fact, Bhutan’s first goals in the last four years of the tournament.
Dinner with all the organisers and teams the night before the last match was a joyous, and fun occasion. All kinds of food were available, and dancing was everyone’s priority that night. The Bhutanese girls had a wonderful evening as well. For once, competition was replaced by merriment.
In the last matches, however, Bhutan was down on her luck, and faced by two very difficult opponents: Sri lanka, and the reigning champions, India. With her defeat to Sri Lanka and India, Bhutan was placed at fourth position, but the Coach was not unhappy and remarked that this position is a mark of improvement and great achievement for the team.
The Asian Confederation Football U13 girl’s football Tournament was the first of its kind. Although similar football matches were played over the last three years, it was only as a festival. Bhutan had participated in the festivals as well.
This time it was an official tournament with the theme, “Women Empowerment through Football, towards a better quality life”.
The team returned home on the 17th, and the girls are back at their respective schools now. For most it was a wonderful experience, personally and professionally. It was moment to cherish for a long time, even for me.
