Bhutan is hosting the first-ever international tennis event, the Asia Tennis Federation Under-14 Tennis Tournament 2025. The five-day competition, underway at the National Tennis Centre in Thimphu, brings together 30 young players from Bhutan, India, Hong Kong, China, and Australia.
There are 11 young Bhutanese players competing in the Boys’ Singles event.
Among them is 13-year-old Tenzin Dudu, who started strong by winning two straight sets against Jamyang Tashi this morning.
Tenzin Dudu, a class seven student studying at Dechencholing Higher Secondary School, also competed in a similar tournament in Nepal last year.
“I am the first player to compete and win the match. If we have to go outside on our own expense, it’s expensive and difficult. ATF has given us this opportunity, and I’m very happy to win my match.”
In the Girls’ Singles category, eight Bhutanese players are taking part.
One of them is 14-year-old Kelzang Lhatsho Tshering, a class nine student of Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School.
Kelzang has represented Bhutan in several tournaments abroad in the past years.
She also won the Junior National Open Championship held in Thimphu.
“There is a big difference when we play in our country and outside the country. Whereas in other countries, there will be a lot of visitors. Their families will be coming with them, or there will be their own individual friends who will come to cheer them up. And we won’t even get used to the courts. But in our country, we are already used to our courts, and we also have our families and visitors to come and support us. And I think that it will be more comfortable in our country than in others.”
The Bhutan Tennis Federation says hosting such tournaments locally allows more young athletes to gain experience.
Tshering Namgyal, General Secretary of Bhutan Tennis Federation said, “If we have to send our players outside to participate, only few players can participate. You see, the best of the best can go and participate. While if we conduct this tournament in our country, maximum number of boys and girls can participate as there will be less people coming from outside and also they will climb into a ladder of ranking system.”
Somnath Manna, White Badge International Referee at ITF and ATF said, “This the main platform to grow up for the under 14 players, in starting of the junior players. They can earn the point and they can participate is a bigger tournament in future.”
The tournament which will end on Friday aims to provide a vital platform for young Bhutanese players to build confidence and gain valuable experience by competing against some of Asia’s best emerging talents.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Tshering Zam
