Press Release

Thimphu, September 15, 2025 – The Bhutan Foundation and the Basketball Federation of Bhutan (BFB) formalized a significant partnership this morning with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project titled “Reviving Bhutan’s Historic Basketball Court.” The signing ceremony took place at the Bhutan Foundation Country Office, Thimphu, in the presence of officials from both organizations.

The MoU was signed between Ms. Norbu Dema, Country Director of the Bhutan Foundation, and Mr. Sonam Tobgay, General Secretary of the Basketball Federation of Bhutan. Other officials from both institutions also attended the event.

The project will honor the a truly unique transformation in the history of basketball in Bhutan, revitalizing a key piece of Bhutan’s sporting heritage. The project seeks to restore pride, rebuild community bonds, and create opportunities for Bhutanese youth to engage in basketball, while honoring the vision and legacy of His Majesty the Fourth King.

Speaking at the event, both parties emphasized that this collaboration is not just about infrastructure but also about nurturing Bhutan’s next generation of athletes and making sports inclusive. The Basketball Federation of Bhutan highlighted its commitment to promoting basketball across the country, fostering sportsmanship, and advancing the nation’s sporting excellence in alignment with Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH).

This partnership also underscores the Bhutan Foundation’s mission to support initiatives that preserve Bhutan’s heritage while enhancing opportunities for growth, community engagement, and wellbeing.

On behalf of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Bhutan Foundation and the Basketball Federation of Bhutan for this remarkable initiative. We wish them Tashi Delek for the successful implementation of this project.