Football in Bhutan

Football's history in Bhutan is relatively short, gaining initial popularity in the mid-1900s through the efforts of Indian and European teachers. The sport's true resurgence occurred in the early 2000s, driven by the influence of satellite TV broadcasting, contrasting with the traditional focus on archery as the national sport. As a result, the local football scene remained underdeveloped. The late 1980s saw the establishment of an initial league, but recorded competitions were scarce until the mid-1990s when the formal A-Division championship emerged. Over time, football overtook other sports to become Bhutan's favorite.

However, while the A-Division purported to be a national league, it essentially catered exclusively to Thimphu-based teams. This league eventually evolved into a three-tiered structure, but its Thimphu-centric nature persisted until the creation of the Bhutan Premier League (formerly known as the National League) in 2012. Limited by financial and logistical challenges, this league only managed to include a handful of additional teams. Throughout Bhutan's football history, its clubs remained relegated to the third tier of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions, particularly the AFC President's Cup, where they consistently struggled. Their performance within the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) was slightly better, although they were still acknowledged as one of the weaker teams.

The national football team held the unfortunate distinction of being ranked as the world's lowest by FIFA, with no ranking points to their name. Their historical Elo ratings, including non-FIFA teams, placed them fourth from the bottom. The national team participated sporadically, primarily engaging in the SAFF Championship and the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. Their bid to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup marked a milestone. They managed to advance to the second round by defeating Sri Lanka 2–1 on aggregate.

Just as the origins of football as a sport remain uncertain, the introduction of the game to Bhutan also holds a shroud of uncertainty.[1] During the colonial era, Bhutan maintained its independence despite treaties with the British government, unlike India where football was introduced by the British. The absence of a permanent British presence in Bhutan hindered the introduction of foreign sports.[2] Football began taking root in Bhutan alongside the establishment of schools in Haa and Paro during the 1950s. Foreign teachers, primarily from India, and some Europeans played a role in this early phase.[3] In its initial stages, the game lacked proper facilities and equipment; matches were played on stone-covered pitches with makeshift cloth balls.[1]

The game's popularity grew as Bhutanese individuals traveled abroad, mainly to India, for education. However, football's development in Bhutan was limited during this period.[1] In the 1960s, Phuentsholing and Samtse emerged as football hubs, close to the Indian border. Teams from these areas engaged in cross-border matches with neighboring tea gardens. In 1968, a team representing Bhutan, largely comprised of foreign players, participated in the Indian Independence Cup in Calcutta.[3]

Over time, football gained traction, becoming an integral part of the school curriculum, and school tournaments became common in Thimphu. Teams from various regions of Bhutan participated, even from distant places like Khaling.[1] Despite its popularity, the notion of a Bhutanese "national team" persisted, which primarily consisted of foreigners. This team often traveled abroad, notably to the ANFA Cup, with around 60% of its players being Indian. These players were employed in the Civil Service but played football essentially as their main task. However, this setup was unsustainable, as these players eventually left, leading to a talent gap that affected the national team in subsequent years.[1]

The organized, competitive aspect of football came relatively late to Bhutan. The national men's team played its inaugural match in 1982, competing in the ANFA cup against Nepal, resulting in a 3–1 loss.[5] The Bhutan Football Association was formally established in 1983, later renamed the Bhutan Football Federation that same year. Despite this, the national team faced challenges, losing in the South Asian Games football tournament without scoring goals.[5]

In the 1990s, efforts were made to revive domestic football. The monk Khyentse Norbu played a role in revitalizing interest, and the Bhutan Football Federation gained admission to the AFC in 1993. Organized domestic football was reinstated in 1996, with Druk Pol dominating the scene for five years. However, the national team's international performance was lackluster during this time. Television was introduced in Bhutan in 1999, allowing exposure to foreign football, notably the 1998 World Cup.

The early 2000s marked Bhutan's affiliation with FIFA, and the national team's entry into the AFC Asian Cup. Despite challenges, football remained popular, as depicted in the film "The Cup." The A-Division league expanded, and the national team achieved qualifying success. However, the game's progress was uneven, with fluctuations in domestic leagues, continental competitions, and the national team's performance.

The 2010s saw Bhutan's first steps in FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Although popularity remained high, financial constraints hindered domestic and national progress. The Bhutan Football Federation attempted to revamp the league structure, leading to the National League's inception in 2012–13. Bhutan's attempt to qualify for the 2018 World Cup brought positive attention, yet financial limitations persisted, affecting player development and national team performance.

Overall, Bhutan's football journey was marked by uncertain beginnings, sporadic development, and challenges arising from financial constraints, but the sport's popularity remained steadfast throughout the years.