Eight high school teams from across the country have entered the final stages of the first-ever Pepsi Bhutan Higher Secondary School National Championship. The competition kickstarted in June last year with the qualifying round. The opening match of the tournament played today in Phuentshogling saw Ugyen Academy defeating Chhukha Central School by six goals to one.
Over 70 schools from across the country took part in the qualifiers of the Bhutan Higher Secondary School Championship which began last year. Eight months later, only 8 teams have managed to earn themselves a spot in the final rounds of the competition.
“The competition is like a preparation for the SAARC region high school championship which will be held very soon. We are planning to train ourselves for the next two to three years,” said Ugyen Dorji, the Head of the BFF Amateur Division.
Besides helping in the development of football in the country, the competition is also expected to enhance the quality of youth football.
“We are very excited since it is the first time our school is competing in a championship like this. We will give it our all and try to make our Dzongkhag proud,” said Thinley Tempa, the captain of the Chhukha Central School team.
“Our team from Gyalpozhing is ready for the championship. We have been practising day and night and we are hoping to put on a show for the people of Phuentshogling,” said the Gyalpozhing HSS team captain, Sangay Dawa Drukpa.
For those who can’t witness the championship in person, the matches are being live-streamed online.
The championship will conclude by the end of this month.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Passang Dorji
