With the highest number of foreign players registered in the women’s national league so far, the BOB Bhutan Women’s National League 2025 is expected to be competitive and exciting. Ten teams with 36 foreign players will be competing in the league, which will begin next month.
The foreign players are from Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Nepal, India, and the U.S.
Gelephu City WFC has registered the highest number of foreign players with eight.
This is followed by Paro FC Women’s team, Transport United FC and Samtse WFC, each with six foreign players.
Thimphu City FC and Phuentsholing WFC have five foreign recruits each.
Teams such as UA WFC, RTC WFC, Gelephu Girls Academy and Gelephu U-17 Academy have not registered any foreign players.
Taylor Spiller, a former footballer who played in the highest college level football in the US will play as the goalkeeper for Paro FC this season.
As a leader and champion, she aims to guide the team to success.
“I think whenever a player from outside comes into a new country, they can bring something different, a different style, different piece of knowledge that might not be here. It goes both ways. I will pick things here and I am hoping to bring things that I know from the US.”
Similarly, other foreign players are also determined to give their best and help their clubs win the league, while supporting the development of Bhutanese players.
Maria Manda from Thimphu City FC said “This is my first time playing in the Bhutan Women’s National League. Everyone at the club is very nice. I feel very good. I have become a part of the team and our team chemistry is very good.”
Masuba Parvin from Transport United FC said “I am very proud as I will be playing for Transport United FC. It is my first club. I will try my best and I am thinking of helping the local players.”
Local players said the recruitment of foreign players will help in uplifting the standard of the national league, providing local players with exposure to international talent and techniques.
Sunita Rai from Transport United FC said “We can expect healthy competition among the players as everyone would like to play in the first 11 squad and pay tribute to their service to the club. This year, we are expecting more quality and professional league.”
Sonam Choden from Thimphu City FC said “Unlike previous years, clubs recruited lots of foreign players. We have around five foreign players in our team. I think our league will be over-competitive and interesting. I hope many people will come and support the league.”
Likewise, Pema Choden Tshering, Footballer, Thimphu City FC said “There are definitely lot of changes in women’s football over the years. When I first started playing women’s league, we were only six to seven clubs. Now, we have ten teams. That means there will be more number of girls playing in the competition. Along with that, we have also brought lot more foreign players, which will hopefully elevate the standard as well.”
Originally scheduled to kick off last Saturday, the league has been postponed following the withdrawal of The Royal Academy Women FC. FIFA mandates 10 participating teams in the league, which is also a condition tied to the league’s funding support from FIFA. The Royal Academy Women FC will be replaced by Gelephu U-17 Academy.
Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Tshering Zam
