Although a class A thromde, Gelephu lacks recreational facilities. The few that it has are the sporting facility. But even those are underutilised.
Right now, all the town has is a single basketball court at the youth centre, a few archery ranges, a badminton hall and the football ground right in the heart of the town
Apart from a few tournaments organised by the Bhutan Olympic Committee, there is virtually nothing happening on the sports front. The only sports association the dungkhag has is also not working.
“The facilities provided here in Gelephu have to be monitored and structured. If we don’t do that, those facilities rather than helping the youth keep away from anti-social activities will become a hotspot to gang-up. It will not help them in any way unless proper guidelines, monitoring and structuring is in place,” said the Gelephu Higher Secondary School’s Principal, Shambay Dorji.
In the meantime, works are underway to revive the Gelephu Sports Association. Its members have also been identified. Keeping in mind the importance of recreational facilities for a fast growing town like Gelephu, the Thromde office has already identified an area to be developed into a recreational park.
“Recreational Park will be among the teak plantation area. There will be an indoor basketball court, lawn tennis court, badminton court and a cricket field,” said the Thromde’s Engineer, Sarvajit Rai. He said they have listed the activities in phase wise which are expected to be achieved within five years.
The recreational park will also have provisions for footpath and cycling.
