A New Era of School Sports in Bhutan Begins
Students Lead the Charge at Khangkhu MSS Volleyball Finals
It was more than just a game. It was the start of a movement. A revolution in how we see sports in schools—not just as a physical activity, but as a culture, a community, and most importantly, a classroom for life.
On 3rd March 2025, the “Sports in School Program” with the empowering slogan “Building a Vibrant Sporting Culture in Schools” took its first bold step in Thimphu. This program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), funded by Olympic Solidarity.
The initiative was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, President of the BOC, alongside Hon’ble Minister for Education and Skills Development, Lyonpo Yeezang D. Thapa, marking a significant milestone in integrating sports into the school culture .
The pilot project commenced with an orientation and capacity development workshop for District Education Officers, school principals, sports staff, and representatives from National Sports Federations (NSFs). Participants delved into the MoESD-BOC Action and Implementation Plans, solidifying the framework established by the November MoU.
Four schools – Woochu Lower Secondary School, Khangkhu Middle Secondary School, Chundu Armed Forces Public School and Dechencholing Higher Secondary School– will serve as pilot sites for one to two years, focusing on embedding comprehensive sports programs and sports industry-related educational programs, setting the stage for nationwide expansion .
The program also opens doors for students to explore sports-related careers in fields like commentary, media, photography, marketing, and event management .
What we witnessed at the School Volleyball Finals at Khangkhu MSS was the birth of something bigger than a final match. The event was entirely led, managed, and executed by students—with support from school leaders, coaches, and the dedicated SSI teachers.
From organizing the tournament to handling media, commentary, photography, scorekeeping, refereeing, social media updates, and even entertainment segments—the students did it all. And they did it with the kind of flair, energy, and professionalism that would put seasoned event managers to shame.
This wasn’t just a sporting event. It was an experience.
A pre-game press conference saw students ask sharp, insightful questions to team captains, who responded with a mix of excitement and nerves—just like pros. Live interviews mid-game brought raw emotions to screens, as budding student-journalists captured adrenaline-filled moments from players and spectators alike.
Meanwhile, a group of students led trending TikTok challenge reels, hyping up the event online and generating buzz. Free gift distributions had students queuing up, and the atmosphere was electric.
Over 500 students and teachers—excluding the many enthusiastic parents—filled the school grounds with cheer, laughter, and the infectious roar of youthful spirit. The cheer squads were nothing short of electric—coordinated, vibrant, and spirited enough to rival any national crowd. Alongside the thrilling matches, the side entertainment activities added a festive flair to the day and successfully generated a commendable amount of funds, which the student team plans to reinvest into organizing their next event—raising the bar even higher.
This wasn’t just a sporting event. It was an experience.
A pre-game press conference saw students ask sharp, insightful questions to team captains, who responded with a mix of excitement and nerves—just like pros. Live interviews mid-game brought raw emotions to screens, as budding student-journalists captured adrenaline-filled moments from players and spectators alike.
Meanwhile, a group of students led trending TikTok challenge reels, hyping up the event online and generating buzz. Free gift distributions had students queuing up, and the atmosphere was electric.
Over 500 students and teachers—excluding the many enthusiastic parents—filled the school grounds with cheer, laughter, and the infectious roar of youthful spirit. The cheer squads were nothing short of electric—coordinated, vibrant, and spirited enough to rival any national crowd. Alongside the thrilling matches, the side entertainment activities added a festive flair to the day and successfully generated a commendable amount of funds, which the student team plans to reinvest into organizing their next event—raising the bar even higher.
Every detail was thought through. The score updates? Instant and live, pushed across school’s social media handles. Group photos? Clicked, edited, and uploaded on the spot. Side entertainment programs? Smoothly managed—earning revenue, boosting engagement, and adding fun to the mix.
What made it all the more special was how the entire school came together as one unit—decentralizing responsibilities, empowering students, and building a team that blended leadership with mentorship. Teachers became guides, not commanders. The students, the real torchbearers.
“I’ve never felt this confident. I was doing live commentary and suddenly realized—this is what I want to do in life!” shared by a 9 student.
“We were tired, but it was fun. We managed everything—from sponsorship to the last whistle of the game. I can’t wait for the next event!” said by one of the student organizers.
These aren’t just quotes—they are proof that this initiative is working. It’s inspiring. It’s equipping students with real-life skills—in leadership, communication, technology, and collaboration.
We are still early in this journey. There’s so much more to build, so much more to learn. But if yesterday was anything to go by, we are perfectly aligned with the vision.
The “Sports in School Program” is not just ticking boxes. It’s transforming mindsets. It’s making sport a way of life, and school a launchpad not only for athletes, but for creators, leaders, storytellers, and dreamers. To see Khangkhu Middle Secondary School set the standard so early is both exciting and encouraging. Many more schools will follow. Many more finals will be held.
But one thing is already clear—the future of sports in Bhutanese schools is vibrant, loud, and student-led. And this is just the beginning.
This program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), funded by Olympic Solidarity.
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