To enhance the skills of Bhutanese women footballers, the Bhutan Football Federation(BFF) is providing coaching training for women footballers and sports instructors. The two-week coaching course, which began on Monday, features participants, including members from the women’s national team, school sports instructors, and coaches from football clubs across Bhutan.
The training classified as Asian Football Confederation, AFC C-level diploma course includes theoretical and practical programmes to provide trainees with essential coaching skills to lead and develop football programmes for women at all levels. 14 participants are undergoing the training.
According to the facilitator who is heading the Coaching Education department of the BFF, the growing number of female football players in the country has created a genuine need for more qualified coaches.
“We organised this course especially for women to give them more insights about football. Moreover, to groom them as instructors,” said Bikash Pradhan, head of coach education at Bhutan Football Federation.
The ongoing training focuses on improving participants’ tactical, technical, and strategic understanding of the game while fostering leadership, confidence, and empowerment.
It also emphasises the importance of mental toughness, resilience, and the ability to analyse opponents during matches.
“As an instructor, this course is very helpful. We need to deal with children and teach them what to do and how to do it, which I learnt from this programme,” said Tshering Choden, school sports instructor at Jigme Losel Primary School, Thimphu.
“Through this C license course, I learnt about integrity, honesty and teamwork which I will be able to teach to the children in the future,” said Sonam Tshomo, trainee coach of Paro FC.
“I participated in this programme to learn more about the game. As a player, it is important to know about the game. Moreover, it is to develop my mental and physical strength,” said Sonam Lhamo, a footballer.
Upon completion of the course, participants’ practical coaching abilities, knowledge of the laws of the game, and theoretical understanding will be assessed online and through a refresher course.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to advance to the B-level coaching course, which is expected to be offered based on demand and requirements across the country.
Jamyang Loday
Edited by Phub Gyem
