Bhutan Cricket history : Part IV

Continuation series from Part III, Part II, and Part I

Towards December 2003, Bhutan Cricket yet again organized Super Six Tournament which was played in RBA Ground in Thimphu, the Match turned out to be an exciting as more than 12 team participated in the tournament, the team consist from Bhutan Broadcasting Corporation, Royal Institute of Health Science, Schools, Local Clubs, Indian Embassy, IMTRAT from Thimphu and Haa as well, Friend’s United club lead by Bhutan Cricket Treasurer Ugyen Tenzin lifted the Trophy, Vice-President Dasho Ugen Tshechup Dorje was the Chief guest for the final.

Coaching camp has always been an success amongst the student and kids as school closes for the winter vacation starts from the December month, coaching camp were held in Thimphu, Phuntsholing and Gelephu District by the Senior players lead by Captain Damber Singh Gurung. As many as 200 plus kids participated in the coaching camp held in Thimphu District, most being school student ranging from age 9 to 20. With the Invitation from Asian Cricket Council to participate in the under-17 ACC Trophy to be held in Chennai in 2004, a right moment for the Bhutan Cricket to select players from the coaching camp.

Bhutan Under-17 team Participated in the tournament and were disappointed after they were knocked out from the group stage, but skipper Manoj Adhikari with his brilliant bowling performance was selected in the Asia u-17 team which tour Bangalore. Umpire Phuntsho Wangdi became first Bhutanese to umpire in the International Cricket Match when he Umpire two Match.

Bhutan Senior National team with the fund provided by ACC toured New Delhi in February 2004 for match practice, the twenty days tour and with 10 played match against various clubs from Delhi in the turf pitch, Bhutanese team were more exposed which certainly help their performance in the 2004 ACC Trophy held in Malaysia, where Bhutan Beat Iran in the group stage.

Bhutan Cricket hired Mr Baba Sourjah for second times to prepare for the ACC trophy 2004 which Bhutan got wild card from ACC. His coaching was completely and tough one as time was limited for him, regularly coaching session and players were more dedicated and did coaching tirelessly for two months.

At that time when the Players were training for the ACC Trophy, Bhutan Cricket took yet another big leap in developing of Changlimithang Ground which lies between Soccer field and Archery range for the purpose of Cricket only, though it was just an two sizeable Tiger Football ground. Work was given to the Construction Company and work started immediately in April 2004, the ground was fully dug and fine soil was laid for levelness and growth of turf. Coaching was hardly disturbed.

Bhutan then went to ACC Trophy all prepared after a disappointment start in the International scene during first and second ENT held in Nepal. 16 Non Test Playing Asian countries participated in the tournament Organized by Asian Cricket Council and Hosted by Malaysian Cricket Association. Bhutan first win in two years of playing International tournament came when Bhutan Beat Iran, Thinley Wangchuk Dorje was adjudged the man of the match for his brilliant batting performance of 48 runs. Bhutan Jinx was Broken. Though Bhutan lost to Nepal in group stage, Bhutan were still through to quarter final of ACC eventually losing to Oman, Bhutan was ranked 8^th out of 16 countries which was an huge achievement for Bhutn Cricket.

The work Back in Bhutan was near completion towards September where Bhutan Cricket Employed Mr Ugyen Dorji, former National Players as Curator. When the summer season fades away the time Ground was ready for the establishment of turf, only half the ground was sown seeds which left other half naked.

To Be Continued....