The country’s A-League Basketball reigning champions, Thimphu Magics, are preparing to compete in the upcoming South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) Club Championship. The tournament which will be held in Chennai, India, from the 2nd of next month till the 6th will feature top club champions from five South Asian nations, including India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. This will be the first time that a Basketball club from Bhutan will be competing in an international club tournament.
The Thimphu Magics, founded in 2006, has won around eight national-level trophies, including A-League titles and the Coronation Championship.
The team says it is a dream come true to get the chance to compete in the upcoming tournament.
Team captain Sherab Jatsho shared that this opportunity will not only give Bhutanese basketball enthusiasts a chance to compete on an international stage but also help elevate the standard of the A-League, the country’s top basketball tournament.
“The SABA Club Championship is a great opportunity for A-League players. Previously, winning the league brought nothing beyond the trophy, but this time, players will be more motivated, and the club’s level will improve. Victory would mean earning a place in the SABA Championship, adding even more significance to the competition.”
The players stated that this is a great opportunity for them to represent both their club and country on the international stage.
“We are proud and delighted that our team has the opportunity to compete in an international tournament. Facing teams from five nations, we are hopeful for a victorious outcome,” said Dago Retty, Player of Thimphu Magics.
Rabgay was a part of the Bhutanese national team that achieved victory at the Five Nation Championship and secured the country’s first international trophy in basketball by defeating Bangladesh. He said that the team hopes to implement a similar strategy in this tournament as well.
“We have been well-trained in the highly strategic 3-2 defence, a system taught by our national coach, Coach Kim. I think this is something to look forward to, inculcate, and anticipate in the team’s play,” said Rabgay, Player of Thimphu Magics.
Led by head coach Nima Gyeltshen, the team has been training for hours daily over the past month, with sessions in the morning and evening. Despite the limited preparation time, the coach remains optimistic about winning the title.
“We did not get enough time for preparation. We have only been training for the past month, leaving us with just one more month. For me, it is not about whether we can do it or not but whether we will do it or not. Even though the team hasn’t had sufficient preparation time, I am hopeful that with some national team members, we can compete well in the tournament,” said Nima Gyeltshen, Head Coach of Thimphu Magics.
According to the Bhutan Basketball Federation, the SABA Club Championship is a prestigious tournament that brings together top club teams from South Asian nations. It offers a platform for clubs to compete at the international level, contributing to the growth and elevation of basketball standards in the region.
Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
