Bhutan Steps Into the International Beach Volleyball Spotlight at CAVA Beach Tour Bhutan Open 2026
T&K CONSTRUCTIONS PRESENTS CAVA BEACH TOUR BHUTAN OPEN 2026
4–6 SEPTEMBER 2026 | CHANGLIMITHANG • THIMPHU
For three days, from 4 to 6 September 2026, the sand at Changlimithang became the centre of international beach volleyball as Bhutan welcomed teams from seven countries for the T&K Constructions Presents CAVA Beach Tour Bhutan Open 2026.
Bhutan hosted the tournament alongside Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Uzbekistan, bringing athletes from across the region together to compete on Bhutanese soil. For the home teams, however, the tournament meant something more.
It was a chance to compete internationally without leaving home. It was a chance for Bhutanese players to test themselves against experienced opposition, in front of their families, friends and supporters. And by the end of the three days, Bhutan had given its supporters something they had never seen before in international volleyball. A Bhutanese men’s team had reached the semifinal of an international volleyball competition for the first time.
A Historic Run for Bhutan
Bhutan Men’s Team One, Jurme Rangdal and Tshering Dorji, produced one of the tournament’s biggest moments when they fought back from a set down to defeat Uzbekistan in the quarterfinal. The victory sent the Bhutanese pair into the semifinal and brought the home crowd to its feet.
For Bhutanese beach volleyball, it was a significant moment. The semifinal was not simply another match in the tournament. It represented a new level of competition for a sport that is still developing in the country. The journey eventually ended in the semifinal against India, but the result had already made its mark.
Bhutan had competed against international teams, survived the knockout stages and reached the last four of a regional international tournament. For Jurme Rangdal and Tshering Dorji, it was a result earned on the sand. For Bhutanese volleyball, it was a result that could encourage the next generation to believe that such a stage is within reach.
Seven Countries, One Court
The tournament brought together teams from Bhutan, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Uzbekistan, creating a competitive field and giving local players valuable international exposure.
India went on to claim the women’s title after defeating Nepal in the final, while Sri Lanka took the men’s championship after a strong campaign throughout the tournament. For the visiting teams, the tournament provided an opportunity to compete in Bhutan for the first time for many of the athletes.
For Bhutan, it was equally an opportunity to host international sport at home and give the public a chance to experience beach volleyball beyond the television screen. Changlimithang remained busy throughout the tournament, with spectators gathering around the courts to watch the matches and support the Bhutanese teams.
More Than Volleyball
Away from the competition itself, the tournament also brought a wider sporting and entertainment experience to Changlimithang.
The event included public activities, food and beverage outlets, entertainment, family activities and spaces for spectators to spend time around the competition. The intention was simple. Bring people closer to sport and make the venue a place where athletes and the public could share the experience together.
Behind the scenes, volunteers, officials, technical teams, security personnel and event staff worked throughout the three days to keep the tournament running safely and smoothly. Their contribution was just as important as what happened on the court.
The T&K Constructions Presents CAVA Beach Tour Bhutan Open 2026 was initiated by Bhutan Sports Ventures Limited, the Commercial Arm of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, under the guidance of the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
The tournament was organised by the Bhutan Volleyball Federation, supported by the Bhutan Football Federation, and held in collaboration with the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA).
The event brought together sporting organisations, commercial partners, broadcasters, volunteers and supporters around one common purpose: creating an international sporting experience in Bhutan while giving Bhutanese athletes the opportunity to compete at home.
For Bhutan Sports Ventures, the tournament also represented an important first step. As the commercial arm of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, BSV is looking at ways sport can create opportunities beyond competition, including partnerships, events, media, commercial activity and new experiences for fans and athletes. The Bhutan Open provided an early example of what that can look like when sport and business come together around a shared vision. A tournament of this scale could not have happened without the support of its partners.
T&K Constructions came on board as the presenting partner of the tournament, while partners across broadcasting, hydration, digital connectivity, travel, banking, team attire and other areas contributed to the delivery of the event. Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) served as the Official and Exclusive National Broadcast Partner and was also involved in international broadcast rights management, taking the tournament to audiences beyond the venue.
Bhutan Agro supported the event as the Official Hydration Partner, while TashiCell supported the tournament as the Official Digital Connecting Partner. Sacred Kingdom Travel Bhutan supported Team Bhutan attire, Bhutan Airlines came on board as Travel Partner and DK Bank served as the Banking Partner. Other supporters, sponsors and service partners also contributed to the tournament through financial and in kind support. Each contribution played a role in bringing the tournament from an idea to the court. The final whistle brought the tournament to a close on 6 September, but the significance of the three days goes beyond the final results.
For the visiting teams, Bhutan will be remembered as the place where they competed on the sand at Changlimithang. For the Bhutanese players, it was an opportunity to measure themselves against international opposition.
For the young players watching from the side of the court, it was a chance to see what international beach volleyball looks like up close. And for Bhutanese sport, perhaps the most important part is what comes next.
The semifinal run by Jurme Rangdal and Tshering Dorji has given Bhutanese beach volleyball a result to build on. The experience gained by the other Bhutanese teams has added another layer to their development. Most importantly, the tournament showed that international sport can be brought to Bhutan and that Bhutanese athletes can compete on the same stage.
The T&K Constructions Presents CAVA Beach Tour Bhutan Open 2026 has now concluded. The courts are quiet again. But the players have taken something from the sand, the experience remains with the sport, and Bhutan has another international sporting story to build on.