YK Poudel

Some 150 people were gathered at Pelkhil School in Thimphu to participate in the final game of junior cricket tournament featuring under-10 and under-15 boys and girls, with 108 students from across the country.

As the Bhutanese across the country were celebrating Drugpa Tshezhi (the first sermon of Lord Buddha), these young cricket players were also devoting their day to winning the tournament, learning, having fun, and making friends.

The CAE Leopards won the U15 male-category, Mighty Mermaids won the female-category and Sonic Boomers were the champions of U10 category. Both winners and runners-up were awarded trophies and certificates.

Neatly dressed in white with a cap, Evaan Raj Adhikari, the youngest player of the tournament, stood out due to his quick movements and occasional visits to the tents, always with a smile.

The six-years-old Evaan, a Class PP student of Thimphu Primary School, had come to play his final match against his brother.

“My intention was to win against my brother under the U10 category,” he said. “I lost the match against him but learnt batting and balling in this tournament.”

Evaan said that he made about 15 new friends of which he remembers the name of about six of them.

“The experience was good and I love cricket—I want to continue training and play for the nationals in the future,” he said. “And I want to encourage all young children to build a habit of playing games and sports along with studies as it helps to stay healthy and make new friends.”

A week-long tournament saw registration of over 250 participants from which 108 were selected.

The founder of Cricket Academy for Excellence and the vice-captain for Bhutan’s cricket national team, Ranjung Mikyo Dorji, started the private cricket academy a year ago.

“The academy that started with just five cricketers has now grown to about 15 interested cricketers training every week,” he said.

There was a need for inclusion of play as a part of the learning experience for the children, he said. “The game teaches discipline and time management, among others.”

According to Ranjung Mikyo Dorji, the tournament was made free for all with support from parents and companies willing to support the game. “Looking ahead, the CAE will reach out across the country, get talented youths, and groom them to make them competent cricketers in the future.”

The Minister of Education and Skills Development, Yeezang De Thapa attended the tournament as the chief guest.