BEAST for Athletic Excellence

Bhutan marked a historic milestone at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games by fielding its largest contingent ever—26 athletes across 10 sports. The highlight of Bhutan’s performance was in compound archery, where the team secured an impressive 7th-place finish. However, after reviewing the overall performance, a consensus emerged: with better resources and structured training, Bhutanese athletes could achieve even greater success.

Bhutan took a major step in elite sports development with the launch of the Bhutan Elite Athlete Support and Training (BEAST) Program. This ambitious program was designed to nurture top-tier athletes and propel them onto the Asian and Olympic stages. With a structured support system, strategic funding, and a dedicated technical committee, BEAST aimed to elevate Bhutanese sports to new heights, starting with the Aichi Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

The Birth of the BEAST Program

Recognizing the potentials, His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), commanded a review of the existing athlete support system. This led to the development of the Bhutan Elite Athlete Support and Training (BEAST) Program—a structured and targeted initiative designed to uplift Bhutanese athletes and enhance their performance on the international stage.

The BEAST program shifts the focus from regional events, such as the South Asian Games, to major continental competitions, namely the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, the 2030 Doha Asian Games, and the 2034 Riyadh Asian Games. This long-term vision ensures Bhutan’s athletes receive the necessary resources, training, and support to compete at the highest levels.

What the BEAST Program Aims to Achieve?

The BEAST program is designed to provide:

Strategic Resource Allocation: Ensuring that financial and technical resources are directed to areas with the greatest impact.
Early Talent Identification: Spotting and nurturing young athletes to help them reach their full potential.
Comprehensive Support: Offering professional training, scientific support, and mentorship to elite athletes.
Collaboration with National Sports Federations (NSFs): Strengthening partnerships to create a robust pathway for athlete development.

By working closely with the NSFs, the BEAST program cultivates a structured roadmap that allows promising athletes to develop and thrive under professional guidance.

The Role of the Technical Committee

To ensure the success of the BEAST program, the BOC has established a Technical Committee comprising experts from various sports federations and sports science backgrounds. This committee plays a crucial role in setting benchmarks, monitoring athlete progress, and making informed decisions about their inclusion and progression within the program.

The committee meets at least six times a year to assess performance, propose necessary interventions, and ensure that the athletes receive the best possible support. Additionally, a quarterly technical assessment is conducted to evaluate improvements and make recommendations for inclusion, retention, or removal of athletes from the program.

To maintain transparency and efficiency, the committee aligns its annual calendar with the financial schedule of the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB), ensuring seamless execution of training plans and resource distribution.

Meet the Experts Behind the BEAST Program

The Technical Committee comprises six specialists from different sports federations and one representative from the BOC—each selected based on their expertise, certifications, and contributions to sports development:

Norbu Dradul – Coach, Bhutan Badminton Federation
Namgay Dorji – Coach, Bhutan Table Tennis Federation
Kencho Norbu – Coach, Bhutan Cricket Council Board
Tshendra Dorji – Coach, Bhutan Golf Federation
Tshering Penjor – Program Officer, Bhutan Olympic Committee
Sonam – Head of Medical Department, Bhutan Football Federation
Tshetrim Dorji – Coach, Bhutan Amateur Athletics Federation

A Bright Future for Bhutanese Sports

The introduction of the BEAST Program is a game-changing initiative for Bhutanese athletes. With structured training, expert guidance, and focused resource allocation, Bhutan is set to make a bigger impact in the Asian sports arena. As the nation prepares for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and beyond, the BEAST program stands as a beacon of hope for the country’s sports development.