Thimphu City Football Club will face Gomo Football Club in the opening match of Bhutan Premier League 2021 at the Changlimithang National Stadium, tomorrow. Bhutan Premier League, the country’s highest division of professional football this year will feature 11 teams competing for the title.
With just a day to go for the kick-off of the much-awaited Bhutan Premier League 2021, the defending champions of the competition, Thimphu City FC are busy gearing up for the opening match tomorrow. They will face Gomo FC, the district league winner from Punakha.
Given the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country, the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) is conducting the Bhutan Premier League early this year.
“This year, we are starting the league early as we will have ample time to complete the league in case there is a lockdown in the country. Also keeping in mind to catch up with the AFC on the preliminary qualification of AFC cup and also to fulfil the FIFA’s mandates to complete 90 matches in total,” said Phuntsho Wangdi, the Head of Commercial and Communication of the BFF.
The League this year will be held in three districts of Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro with strict COVID-19 protocols.
“Besides following the strict COVID-19 protocols, we have also asked all the teams to get the COVID-19 negative certificates once every two weeks to keep check and balance on players and other staff,” added Phuntsho Wangdi.
And BFF’s recent decision to do away with the country’s second division league this year has helped Druk Lhayul FC, Rinpung FC, Gomo FC, and Gelegphu FC to pave their way into the top league this year. The competition will be played in a double round format whereby all teams will get to play with each other two times.
Passang Dorji
