Paro, May 31st 2015:
His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, Representative of His Majesty the King and the President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee was re-elected unanimously by the BOC General Assembly, as the President of Bhutan Olympic Committee for the term 2015 to 2018.
The elections took place at the 1st Extraordinary Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Khangkhu Resort in Paro, Bhutan. The BOC General Assembly is the highest decision making body of the Bhutan Olympic Committee. About 45 members from the National Sports Federations (NSF), Dzongkhag Sports Association (DSA), Sports Associations (SA) and Standing Committees attended the extraordinary AGM.
HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck thanked all the members of the BOC General Assembly in placing their trust and faith in him and stated that he was humbled by his re-election as the President of the BOC. HRH stated that he would continue to build upon the reform process initiated in his first term, and work towards establishing an apolitical and democratic governance system in the sports sector, to effectively and efficiently deliver sports to all.
Reflecting on his first term, HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck stated that, “although sports has now attained its rightful place in the national development agenda and is now an integral part of the 11th Five Year Development plan, there is still, so much that needs to be done, to create a firm foundation for a dynamic and vibrant sports sector in Bhutan. All stakeholders have to work collectively, to serve a common, higher purpose, for the benefit of our students, athletes, community and nation.”
The first agenda of the AGM was the Presidential election of the Bhutan Olympic Committee for the year 2015-2018. Some of the other items discussed and presented to the members were:
– Improving the BOC governance structure
– Appointment of election committee for the election of the BOC Executive Committee
– Budget Utilization Report for the fiscal year 2014 – 2015
– Presentation on annual budget for fiscal year 2015 – 2016
– Linking of the budgeting and planning process for DSA’s with that of the BOC & NSFs
– Proposal on regularization of employees in the sports sector
– Affiliation of 9 Dzongkhag Sport Associations and 2 Sports Associations to the BOC
– Handing over of seed money to DSAs
“This august gathering is an important milestone in the history of sports in Bhutan as it is the first time that all members have come together to collectively discuss issues pertaining to sports in Bhutan. It is the first step towards establishing a truly representative sport governance system to deliver organized sport to all Bhutanese. Further it is also a forum for leaders and officials in the sports sector to share, learn, enhance relationships, and reflect upon how to best deliver opportunities for all Bhutanese to participate in sports, through an apolitical and robust sports system.” Sonam Karma Tshering, Secretary General.
The next AGM will be held on January, 2016 at Phuentsholing.
