I know Yeshey Dorji since my college days at
Sherubtse College in 2005. We studied together, taking up BA in English Honours.
Since then he proved that he has an extraordinary drive to play football. He nurtured
his drive, his talent and has transformed himself into one of the strongest
attacking midfielders in Bhutan. This earned him a huge fame amongst football
enthusiasts. And he was widely known as Bumlay.
Bumlay played for the
Bhutan Senior National Team for the past several years. He has appeared in the
national squad 30 times, playing in the SAFF, AFC Presidents’ Cup and
other internationals. He captains for Yeedzin FC and was awarded the
player of the tournament award in 2011.
However, very recently, he announced his
retirement from the national squad. He was only 26 years old, and of course was
at the peak of his career. It’s
very sad to hear this. Even his coach says, it’s a big loss for the national
squad.
Several reasons why
Yeshey retired from the national team are (source Kuensel):
1. There was no future
playing football in Bhutan.
2. The Nu 4,000 monthly
stipend paid to the national squad was also withdrawn recently.
3. The football
management isn’t serious about the senior national team.
4. There is a lot of
focus on grassroots development; whereas, the senior team is completely
ignored.
5.
The passion for playing in the national team couldn’t sustain a
life.
I don’t have anything
to say on Yeshey’s decision to retire from the national squad so early. But I
can apparently see loads of frustration in this young player. Every reason he
gave for his retirement saddened me.
I don’t want to
criticize here any concerned authorities of football management in Bhutan (be
it BOC or RGoB or BFF). For, I don’t know much about the football management in
Bhutan. Even I don’t know how much budget has been allocated for football
development in the 11th Five Year Plan. I don’t know what are the
strategies developed by the concerned agencies in exploring sponsorships and
funds for the sports in Bhutan.
But I can sense a lukewarm
support even from the government in developing sports in Bhutan. If it’s wrong,
then I beg pardon here.
Yes, we have youth
unemployment. Yes, the government cannot provide civil service jobs to over
2,400 university graduates and thousands other classes X and XII graduates. We
are happy that our government is exploring ways to send unemployed youth
outside for works. Very good.
But sport is one area that
our government needs to stress on to engage more youth and to create more
employment opportunities. More sports infrastructures. Stronger sports
management. Proper support system. Those talented sportsmen need not have to
stay in Bhutan for their livelihood. They can play outside and earn. The
purpose of the government is also to understand and address the needs of the people.
Some information
extracted from Kuensel: http://www.kuenselonline.com/it-doesnt-pay-to-play-for-the-national-squad.
Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/bumlay15united/photos
sad case...and indeed a serious concern
ReplyDeleteIt's sad la. We really need to look into the matter.
ReplyDeleteSir,
ReplyDeleteI also heard it's corrupted, but not really sure. Officials do favor their candidates while selecting for national squad and later without even playing once, they were sent for studies under BFF funding.....
And on his retirement from the national squad, it will be a great loss.
Good night sir!
Thanks for the comment, pema. This is serious to be looked into. The football management really needs to be resurrected n strengthened to imprve football in bhutan.
DeleteFrustrating.
ReplyDeleteWith the amount of money invested in National team we can't even hire 10 indian labourers to construct a pit toilet.
The case is very apparent, is it really the shortage of fund or is the fund going into pockets? National team must be respected in all mean, including salary enough to sustain a good respectable life.
Even though they are stressing on grassroot level, they shouldnt be ignoring the national team squad. The football management be giving some kind of respect n wages to the national squad. Else there won't b any continuity.
DeleteMr. Bumlay is a fantastic footballer. I watched him play SAFF championship 2013 with such dynamism and maturity. Our national team truly displayed their potential in the field both against Afghan and Maldivian team. What a shame we have to lose one of our best players.
ReplyDeleteHis retirement from the national squad is a big loss.
ReplyDeleteIts sad that when people around the world lives on football, our good players have to choose the job. It should serve as the good lesson for the BFF.
ReplyDeleteYes Sogyel, it is very sad la.
ReplyDeletei went to bhutan once. and i witnessed this with my own eyes it was a bit sad as good as he didi it on his own. its his life. it was the major Highlights of Bhutan Tour
ReplyDelete