Bhutan Volleyball Federation is struggling to achieve its target of promoting the sport due to lack of budget. The Federation is finding it hard to make ends meet with an annual budget outlay of only Nu 2 M which is used to pay its employees as well as conduct activities to promote the sport.
Although the game is an indoor sport by nature, all of the games organized by the Federation are played outside. This is because the federation does not have an indoor court yet. Despite the rain, scorching sun and wind, tournaments are conducted in the open space at the Changlimithang in Thimphu.
The Federation also could not participate at the recent South Asian Games as there was no national team and no budget to form one.
Meanwhile, the government says they do not have any additional budget to offer.
Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering during a conversation with BBS said there are not enough budgets in the government’s coffer to help the federation. He said the government is focused on investing in sports that are more likely to win at international levels.
However, the Federation believes that if proper infrastructure is in place, there is potential for the sport to grow in the country and even compete at the international stage.
Bhutan Volleyball Federation was one of the first federations formed under the Bhutan Olympic Committee. The federation aims to make volleyball one of the most favourite sports in the country.
Tshering Dendup
