A winter basketball coaching camp for children aged 5 to 18 is currently underway in Gelephu. Almost 80 youths are participating in the two-week coaching that started last week. While traditionally popular in the capital, basketball is gaining traction across Bhutan, and the Basketball Federation of Bhutan hopes to extend national team selections beyond Thimphu through such initiatives.
The youth participants are divided into three groups and are trained in batches. They are introduced to the rules of the game, basketball terminology and skills. This is to promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle through active participation in the game.
“For the younger kids, our focus is on how to bounce, shoot and pass the ball. For the older kids, we focus on game time, how to tackle man to man, and how to play the different zones involved in playing defence. We also teach both the adult and the younger kids how to warm up properly,” said Kinley Dorji, a coach with the Basketball Federation of Bhutan.
Participants said they opted for the coaching rather than staying idle at home. They said such a program would keep them active and help them learn the value of teamwork apart from basketball skills.
Chhimi Khamsum Wangyel, a participant said, “The reason I joined this camp is because my grandmother felt that it would be helpful for me. Since the basketball federation facilitates the coaching, I enrolled with the hope of improving my skills.”
“I would learn more skills about basketball players,” said Sarjana Rai, a participant.
Arjina Mishra said, “I am here for the training because I am in basketball. I am learning many basketball skills. We now know how to work and play as a team. This basketball training would be beneficial for me in my future.”
The Basketball Federation of Bhutan, which is organising the coaching, said basketball has traditionally been popular only in the capital. However, the sport is gaining momentum in other parts of the country, with more people showing enthusiasm.
While the federation has previously selected national team members only from Thimphu, it now aims to include players from other districts through the facilitation of such camps.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Kipchu
