How Every Student Can Be Meera

On the 20th and 21st of September 2025, Paro will come alive with the voices of students, the rhythm of footsteps on the fields, and the laughter that only school gatherings can bring. Over 2,000 students from seven schools will fill the Woochu and Rinpung Sports Arenas, carrying with them not just jerseys and sports shoes, but dreams, energy, and the kind of excitement that only youth can create.

Yes, there will be football, basketball, volleyball, and athletics. It’s the courage of a shy student taking the mic as a commentator. It’s the joy of friends planning a cheer routine after class. It’s volunteers learning responsibility, students cooking up snacks at food stalls, and others managing crowds with a smile. It’s sports becoming life lessons — teamwork, leadership, resilience — all stitched together into two unforgettable days.

And somewhere in the middle of that whirlwind of energy, you’ll find me — standing on the podium, mic in hand, guiding the flow of the event as the Master of Ceremony. Not as a guest, not as a teacher, but as a fellow student.

I’m Meera Regmi, 16 years old, Class X at Khangkhu Middle Secondary School — and this is my story.

The Meera You Don’t Always See

When people describe me, they often say I’m extroverted, confident, outspoken, and a topper in school. That’s one part of me. But let me share the other side:

I am also the shy girl who practices her lines a hundred times in front of the mirror before any presentation. The girl whose hands tremble before holding the microphone. The girl who watches endless podcasts on “how to start a conversation” because she is terrified of getting it wrong. The girl who sometimes struggles to balance academics, leadership roles, friendships, faith, and her own mental health.

But at the heart of it all, I am also the girl who chooses. I choose to stand up despite the nerves, to smile despite the doubts, to speak even when my voice shakes. I choose love, gratitude, humor, and self-care as my weapons against fear. And in those choices, I have found courage, confidence, and unexpected opportunities.

Where My Spark Began

From a very young age, I loved speaking, writing, and leading. Last year, I even stood for captaincy — something that demanded not just confidence, but also commitment. Today, I serve as the Literary Captain of my school, a role I hold with pride and responsibility.

But my story took an unexpected turn when the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) noticed my love for words and for sharing stories. Through their encouragement, I was able to explore journalism — something I never thought would be part of my journey. Today, apart from my dream of becoming a psychiatrist through science, I also carry a budding passion for journalism.

I will be representing Bhutan as one of the Youth Journalists at the Asian Games 2026 — a dream that once felt impossible for a girl like me.

Where Magic Begins for Many

If you’re wondering how all this connects, let me explain.

Earlier this year, the Sports in School program was introduced in Bhutan, supported by the Ministry of Education & Skills Development, the Bhutan Olympic Committee, and Olympic Solidarity. My school is one of the pilot schools.

This program has changed how we see school sports. It is no longer just about running, passing, or scoring. It is about building confidence, teamwork, discipline, and leadership. It is about giving students roles beyond athletes — as commentators, organizers, motivators, or storytellers. It is about discovering that your place in sports doesn’t have to be on the field alone — it can be anywhere your passion takes you.

Morning drills and PE classes now feel like opportunities to grow, not chores to finish. We laugh more, we sweat together, and we find new ways to support each other. Teachers are also better supported — with School Sports Instructors and Health & Physical Education teachers given the training and resources they need.

Most importantly, students are realizing that sports is not separate from life; it is part of who we are, shaping our character both on and off the field.

The Carnival: A Celebration of Students, By Students

This is why the upcoming Sports in School Carnival excites me so much. It is not just an event where students will play football, basketball, volleyball, and athletics. It is a stage where every student, whether shy or bold, sporty or creative, can shine.

Think about it:

The matches will be fierce, yes, but so will the commentaries, carried out by students learning to use their voices.
The cheers will rise, not from hired groups, but from students themselves who are crafting chants to support their peers.
The food stalls will be run by us, the volunteers will be us, and the entertainment will be designed by us.

It’s not just participation — it’s ownership. And that’s what makes this program magical.

Why This Matters

When I look at the stage I will stand on, I don’t just see myself. I see every student who has ever thought, “I am not enough.” I see every child who thinks they’re too shy, too ordinary, too afraid.

If a girl like me — who shakes before the mic, who has to rehearse endlessly, who sometimes doubts herself — can stand on the podium before 2,000 students, then you can too.

Your dream may not be public speaking. It could be painting, coding, teaching, designing, or even cooking. But the lesson is the same: you don’t need to wait until you’re perfect. You just need to begin.

My Invitation to You

As we gather for the carnival, here’s my invitation to you:

Notice what scares you. Try it anyway.
Use your voice, even if it trembles.
Support others. Cheer for your friends, even your rivals.
Explore roles beyond your comfort zone. You may surprise yourself.
Remember self-love. Achievements matter, but so does kindness to yourself.

At the end of the day, what makes me “Meera” is not being a captain, or an MC, or a journalist. It’s my faith, my love, my courage to juggle all parts of life with humor and grace.

And I believe that each of you has a “Meera” inside too — a part that is waiting to shine, to create magic, to lead, to love, to grow. So when the Sports in School Carnival begins, it won’t just be about sports. It will be about the magic of young people stepping up, owning their voices, and building dreams — together.

And I hope you will join me in celebrating not just the games, but the courage, passion, and leadership of every single student who dares to try.

Bhutan Charts a Fresh Path in Sports Leadership

Curious to know who’s shaping the future of sports in Bhutan? Meet the full executive board here

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