With the Pepsi Bhutan Premier League Qualifiers on the horizon, Tsirang Football Club players are sweating it out in preparation. The team is optimistic about booking a spot in the BoB Bhutan Premier League this time around. The club missed out on the country’s top-tier league, last year, on goal difference.
Preparations are underway for the big tournament at the artificial turf ground in Damphu. The club has a two-year lease on the football ground with the Tsirang District Administration. The lease costs Nu 85,000 a month.
According to the club vice president, unlike last year, the club has developed different training structures and modules with a highly qualified coach.
“So, this time we have changed the whole squad. We have hired ‘A’ licensed coach from Thimphu, an assistant coach, and a goal-keeping coach. We now have 15 players from the Bhutan Football Federation Academy and six players from Tsirang,” said Uttam Basnet, the Vice President.
Two foreign players from Ghana have also joined the squad recently. The club will play its first home match against Southern City FC from Gelephu on the 2nd of March.
“We are working very hard for good of the Tsirang FC to qualify for the Bhutan Premier League. And for the Tsirang FC, we have three home matches, so we are looking forward to a positive result,” said Yeshi Wangda, the Coach.
Tsirang FC Captain, Thinley Phuntsho said, “Unlike last year, this time I see a vast difference in training strategy. This is because we have a young and highly qualified coach. So, we are receiving good training. Moreover, we have a set of young and experienced players with ages ranging from 18 to 23 years.”
“To make sure we qualify this time, we have players from Thimphu. We have trained under this coach before, so when he asked us to come here, we obliged,” said Ugyen Lhendup, a player.
A few businesspeople from Damphu Town in Tsirang formed the football club last year, and now the club is seeking support from the people of Tsirang, as it acts as a goodwill ambassador for the region.
Uttam Basnet said, “The Tsirang District Administration and Dzongda are very helpful for the preparation of the BPL qualifier match. They are helping us a lot. Similarly, we urge our Gewog Administrations and people of Tsirang to help us for the mega event because after all Tsirang FC is our people’s club.”
Eight football clubs from across the country will take part in the month-long qualifiers, which begins on the 1st of March. Only four teams will qualify for the BoB Bhutan Premier League.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sherub Dorji
