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FIFA President and Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) President Dasho Ugen Tsechup hold talks in Paris, France
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FIFA Forward funding will help the BFF to address the unique challenges the Himalayan kingdom faces in developing this beautiful sport
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Bhutan’s football growth is “fantastic,” says Infantino
The impressive upward trend of football in Bhutan was a central theme in discussions at the FIFA offices in Paris between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his counterpart Dasho Ugen Tsechup of the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF).
In a mountainous country where archery has traditionally been the biggest sport, Bhutan has been able to revolutionise its football infrastructure with the help of FIFA Forward funding.
Since January 2018, eight artificial turf pitches have been installed at girls’ and boys’ football academies in Thimphu, in the shadow of the Himalayas at the Chalimithang National Stadium. Stadiums have also been upgraded in Dagana, Punakha and in remote areas such as Samtse.
Infantino said of his BFF counterpart, who recently began a new four-year term: “It was a pleasure to welcome Dasho Ugen Tsechup again today to the FIFA offices in Paris, following his re-election in June.
It has been fantastic to see the growth of football in Bhutan over the last few years and I was happy to see the men’s national team at the FIFA Series earlier this year. One of the things the FIFA Forward programme has done is to improve the playing fields in Bhutan and this country is a wonderful example of how the initiative can have a positive impact on football all over the world.”
In addition to improving infrastructure, the BFF pays particular attention to the football grassroots. In July 2023, the association joined the growing number of FIFA member associations, all of which have introduced FIFA’s Football for Schools (F4S) programme, which aims to teach children not only how to play football but also life skills.
“I was also informed about the positive impact that FIFA Football for Schools is making and I thanked all those involved in the BFF for joining the various FIFA initiatives,” Infantino continued.
“Everyone who listened to President Dasho Ugen Tsechup address the 2023 FIFA Football Summit knows that he has the vision and strength to deliver on the BFF’s goals for the beautiful game in this country and I promised him that he can continue to count on FIFA’s support in this mission.”
video-card-module_title__sdoKe">Bhutan Football Federation President Dasho Ugen Tsechup
FIFA Forward has provided Bhutan with $11.4 million to date and Dasho Ugen Tsechup is aware of the importance of this support.
“I mentioned it to FIFA President Infantino that unlike most other countries where football is played, Bhutan has no sponsorship support. We have neither media support nor huge stadiums for scoring goals,” he continued.
“That is why we are heavily dependent on the FIFA Forward Programme from a financial perspective, but also on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). That is why the current level to which football in Bhutan has grown and developed is thanks to the FIFA Forward Programme.
