Transport United Ladies are preparing for a landmark moment in South Asian football. Next month, they will represent the country at the first-ever SAFF Club Women’s Championship 2025 in Nepal. The championship will bring together top women’s clubs from five South Asian nations from Bhutan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, marking a significant milestone for the growth and visibility of women’s football in the region.
Transport United Ladies secured their place in the inaugural SAFF Club Women’s Championship after finishing second in the 2024 BOB Bhutan Women’s National League.
With the domestic season now complete, the squad has turned its full focus to intensive preparation. The players are currently housed at the BFF Headquarters and Technical Centre hostel, where they train one hour every morning and three hours every evening.
The team officially began its training camp on the 12th of this month at the Babena Artificial Turf in Thimphu as they gear up for their international debut in Kathmandu.
Leading the team is 23-year-old Sunita Rai from Samtse. Sunita began playing when she was 13 and has since earned at least nine international caps across SAFF Championships, AFC Olympic Qualifiers, FIFA Friendlies, and the SAFF Women’s Friendly Tournament, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
“We are very excited and proud. It’s a mixed feeling because this is the first SAFF Women’s Club Championship, and we are the first club to represent Bhutan. Our team has almost 90 per cent national players.”
The squad features 10 Transport United players, two foreign signings, and 11 others selected from RTC Women’s FC, Ugyen Academy Women’s FC, and Thimphu City Women’s FC, most of whom are national team players.
“We have very good team bonding because we’ve been playing together since we were kids. We are physically fit as we train early in the morning for strength and do high-intensity sessions in the evening,” said Tshering Choden, Winger, Transport United Ladies.
“This tournament is a great opportunity for girls like us. Before, we didn’t get exposure like this, but now we get more matches and more chances in SAFF tournaments. We’re not just representing the club but also the country. Bhutanese people have supported us before, and we hope they will continue to support us,” said Ngawang Choden, Midfielder, Transport United Ladies.
The SAFF Club Women’s Championship will follow a combination of league and knockout format. All five teams will play each other once, with the top two advancing to the final.
Transport United Ladies will open their campaign against Karachi City FC of Pakistan on the 5th of next month. They will then play East Bengal FC of India on the 8th, Nepal’s APF FC on the 11th, and Narsin Sports Academy of Bangladesh on the 17th. The final is scheduled for 20th December.
“The level of women’s football in South Asia is almost equal. We expect our girls to give their best and compete strongly with all teams,” said Yeshi Wangchuk, Head Coach, Transport United Ladies.
“This competition gives our girls exposure and a sense of belonging in the larger football landscape. It boosts their confidence and shows that football in Bhutan is progressing. It also helps contribute to the future growth of women’s football in the country,” said Kinley Wangmo, General Secretary, Transport United Ladies.
SAFF officials say the championship is a landmark step for women’s football, not only for South Asia, but for the entire Asian football community.
The tournament aims to create a more competitive environment and celebrate the rising success of the women’s game in the region.
For Transport United Ladies, the goal is clear: to showcase the strength, progress, and spirit of Bhutanese women’s football on a regional stage. The team will leave the country on the 3rd of next month to compete in the tournament.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Phub Gyem
