Enhancing football in Bhutan’s rough terrains with 5,200 ultra-durable balls

Apart from the only two artificial turf football grounds in the capital, most grounds across the country are solid, unstable and rough which is not easy on normal leather footballs.

However, in what will address the issue the One World Play project donated 5,200 Chevrolet ultra durable branded balls to Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) and organizations working with grassroots and youth football in Bhutan.

“The ultra-durable One World Football never needs a pump and never deflates, even when punctured multiple times making it ideal for play in all types of terrain and harsh environments,” said a member from the Bhutan Football Federation .

Bhutan Football Federation (BFF), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) and One World Play Project (OWPP) collaboratively launched the ultra-durable soccer balls donation on April 9 at football academy, Changjiji.

The representative from His Majesty’s Secretariat, Zhung Dratshang, and Bhutan Olympic Committee received the balls. The Chief justice of Bhutan Lyonpo Tshering Wangchuk chaired the occasion.

“I hope the donations of the balls can reach rural areas so that children will play football and so in the near future more children will love to play football,” head of Corporate Social Responsibility Unit, Asian Football Confederation, Annathurai Ranganathan said in the event.

“These balls can last more than ten years. The ball is good for children who play in the high ground where there is no proper field, “he said.

AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed his pride at AFC’s involvement with the initiative stating that the programme has far-reaching effects in giving youths, even those in remote, underprivileged areas, a chance to play football and enjoy the game.

BFF President Dasho Ugen Tshechup Dorji said, “We invited the national team players for the launch. Now Bhutan National team has become heroes for many youth in Bhutan and some has already started idolizing our players. The recent win against Sri Lanka has ignited the passion for football like never before in the country”.

AFDP Chairman HRH Prince Ali Bin Hussein mentioned, “AFDP is delighted to be part of this excellent Bhutanese football movement and we strongly believe that no child should feel excluded from playing their favorite sport. This was the same conviction that motivated us to support the introduction of grassroots football in Bhutan two years ago. We wish the esteemed organizers and participating children the best of luck and a very happy experience.”

“Play enables hope, opportunity, and optimism in the most dire of situations. While the ball technology is unique, the real magic is not in the ball, it is what happens when children are empowered to play,” said Asia Director Rachel Haig, One World Play Project. “The ball is a tool that unlocks human potential. Through our collaboration, we are fulfilling our mission to maximize the power of play and transform more lives”..

One World Football has reached more than 175 countries through One World Play Project, bringing the transformative power of play to more than 35mn youth worldwide.

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