𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢-𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡

…. 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞

By Tashi Tshewang

The Mini-Dragons League 2025-26 is underway at the Changjiji Academy Ground, with young
footballers in the Under-8, Under-10, and Under-12 age groups from across Thimphu actively
competing in a lively grassroots programme led by the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF). The
league emphasizes participation, learning, and enjoyment, giving children their first structured
experience of competitive football.

Child safeguarding is a key focus, with coaches and team managers attending sessions and
signing Codes of Conduct to ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for every
player. Spectators have enjoyed high-energy matches, while the league continues to nurture
foundational skills, teamwork, and confidence across all age groups.

Yeshi Dorji, Talent Development Scheme head, said, “The Mini-Dragons League is designed to
give children a positive first experience of football, where learning, teamwork, and enjoyment
matter more than winning. At this stage, our focus is on nurturing skills, building confidence,
and instilling a love for the game that will stay with them for years.”

Since the league began at the Changjiji Academy Ground, young footballers from across
Thimphu have been actively participating in matches that emphasize participation, fair play, and
enjoyment. Coaches, families, and spectators have created a lively and supportive atmosphere,
encouraging children as they develop foundational skills. Alongside the games, BFF has ensured
strong child safeguarding measures.

He added, “The Mini-Dragons League is designed to give children a positive first experience of
football, where learning, teamwork, and enjoyment matter more than winning. At this stage, our
focus is on nurturing skills, building confidence, and instilling a love for the game that will stay
with them for years. Child safeguarding is a top priority for us. All coaches and team managers
attended special sessions and signed Codes of Conduct to uphold professionalism, respect, and
care for every child. By creating a safe and supportive environment, we want every young player
to enjoy football with confidence while learning the values of teamwork and fair play.”

Dawa Zangpo, coach of Paro Football Academy, said, “At Paro Football Academy, we place
strong emphasis on keeping our young players motivated, safe, and fully engaged while they
continue learning the fundamentals of football. The academy prioritizes positive coaching, equal
playing opportunities, and clear learning objectives for every match and training session. Players
are encouraged to focus on development rather than results, with consistent recognition of effort,
discipline, and improvement to build confidence and enjoyment.”

He further explained that strict child safeguarding measures are followed across all activities,
with qualified coaches supervising sessions, mandatory warm-ups and cool-downs, close
monitoring of players’ health, and the availability of first-aid support, hydration breaks, and
injury-prevention education to ensure a safe playing environment.

“Our training sessions are designed to be age-appropriate, fun, and interactive,” he said, noting
that small-sided games, skill-based drills, and match-related learning are used to keep players
actively engaged. “Ultimately, our goal is to create a supportive and positive environment where
young players feel safe, inspired, and motivated to grow, not only as footballers, but also as
disciplined and confident individuals.”

Raj Kumar Gurung, coach of Samtse FC, said, “The players are highly motivated because this is
the only Mini-Dragons League they get to play in a year. They wait for this league and come in
with a strong winning mentality.”

He said player safety has also been given strong attention during the ongoing league, with
parents regularly present at match venues to support their children and BFF physiotherapists
deployed to monitor players and attend to any injuries during matches.

He added, “The Mini-Dragons League feels like a festival for children. It gives them valuable
match experience, helps them interact with different players, and allows them to build
friendships through football. Children train throughout the year in their respective academies and
eagerly wait for this league, which becomes the highlight of their football journey.”

Sangay Zangmo, one of the parents, said, “Watching my child play in the Mini-Dragons League
has been such a joy. Every match, he comes home full of stories about the game. He is becoming
more confident with the ball, tries new skills he wouldn’t have dared before, and even when he
makes mistakes, he doesn’t get discouraged. It’s amazing to see him learning that football is
about having fun and improving, not just winning.”

The parent shared that the league has had a significant impact on children’s overall growth.
Participation in the league encourages teamwork, discipline, and engagement. Children learn to
communicate effectively with each other, cooperate on the field, and support their teammates
during both successes and setbacks.

The coaches structure sessions to be interactive and fun, using small-sided games, skill-based
drills, and match-like situations that keep the young players motivated and focused. Beyond
developing football skills, children also cultivate patience, resilience, and a sense of responsibility,
helping them grow into confident, socially aware, and disciplined individuals.

She continued, “What I love most is the excitement he brings home after every match. He shares
little victories, funny moments, and even challenges he faced during the game. The Mini-
Dragons League has not only strengthened his love for football but also given him confidence
and a sense of responsibility. Seeing him grow, laugh, and enjoy the game so fully is truly
heartwarming as a parent.”

The Mini-Dragons League is carefully organized to ensure the safety, health, and overall well-
being of every young player. Officials and coaches closely monitor training and matches, making
sure proper warm-ups and cool-downs are done, hydration breaks are frequent, and first-aid
support is always available. Children are also educated on injury prevention, and all sessions are
designed to be age-appropriate, fun, and interactive. The focus on safety and structured guidance
allows players to fully enjoy the game while developing their skills, confidence, and teamwork.