𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

…𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 300 𝑺𝑬𝑵 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

By Tashi Tshewang

On May 28, 2025 at Thimphu, The Griffins clinched the championship title in the first-ever Thimphu Women’s Basketball League, defeating RTC with a decisive 68–36 victory in the final match. This historic win marks a significant milestone in Bhutanese women’s sports.

The league, which commenced on May 12, featured eight diverse teams: Alala, Education Squad, Griffins, Phoenix, RTC, Team Elite, CNR, and B.Code. The final match was attended by officials from the Ministry of Education and Skills Development and the Bhutan Olympic Committee, reflecting the growing support for women’s sports in the country.
Griffins’ standout player, Dolkar L. Norbu, was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the final after recording 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal. Additionally, Pem Chuki received a special award for being the Most Dedicated and Supportive Individual Towards Basketball.

Organized by the Bhutan Basketball Federation, the league aimed to encourage, identify, and nurture talented young women in basketball, fostering athletic growth and promoting gender equality through sport. The success of this inaugural event has set a new benchmark for women’s sports in Bhutan, with plans to establish it as an annual fixture mirroring the existing men’s league structure.

Sonam Choden, The Program Officer said, “We have seen significant success in promoting men’s basketball through our local A and B leagues, which have garnered substantial participation. However, women’s participation has been low, primarily due to budget constraints that have hindered our ability to run major development programs for women.”

Recognizing these challenges, the BFB has intensified efforts to promote women’s basketball. Collaborating with International Basketball Federation (FIBA), they have introduced initiatives like the Basketball in Schools’ program, aiming to instill basketball fundamentals among students across various Dzongkhags. Notably, coaching sessions have been inclusive, involving participants from institutions like the Wangsel School for the Deaf. These grassroots programs are designed to make basketball more accessible and to encourage increased participation among women and children with disabilities.

She added, “While our focus has been on increasing participation, which is a qualitative measure for now, we have seen progress. Previously, unofficial women’s leagues had very few teams, making it challenging to continue. This time, having eight teams is a significant step forward. Additionally, our women’s team’s victory against two Indian teams in the Indo-Bhutan friendly matches has been a morale booster. We are looking into organizing more international friendly games to provide our women players with broader exposure, budget permitting.”

Tshering Tshokey, from team Griffins said, “Participating in the Thimphu Women’s Basketball League has significantly contributed to my growth both as an athlete and a person. Over the past six years, basketball has taught me discipline, leadership, and teamwork. Playing as a small forward, I have learned to stay calm under pressure and support my team on both offense and defense. These skills have also helped me become more focused and resilient in my professional life. Balancing a full-time job and basketball is challenging. We usually organize pick-up games on weekends or after work, but before tournaments, we try to practice more regularly. The hardest part is aligning everyone’s schedules because of our different commitments. Still, our passion for basketball keeps us going.”

The Thimphu Women’s Basketball League has become a vital platform for female athletes to compete and develop. Tshering highlights that the experience of facing well-coordinated teams pushes players to sharpen their skills and team strategies. The Griffins’ recent championship win symbolizes their progress and the growing standard of women’s basketball in Bhutan. However, the team manages most logistics independently and stresses the urgent need for better support and facilities to elevate the sport nationally.

She added, “To help basketball grow in Bhutan, we need a proper national stadium with standard facilities. Other sports already have dedicated venues; basketball deserves the same. It’s disheartening to host international games on inadequate courts that don’t reflect our talent. We also need more tournaments with better prize incentives to encourage participation. This year’s turnout of eight teams, up from the usual three or four, shows growing interest. Offering competitive rewards will help maintain this momentum. Lastly, consistent coaching, improved infrastructure, and a culture of professionalism among players, referees, and organizers are essential. Our shared passion drives us, but with better support, we can build something truly impactful for basketball in Bhutan.”

Karma Yonten Lhamo, a player of RTC shared, “Participating in the Thimphu Women’s Basketball League has been instrumental in enhancing my skills. The regular competitive matches, structured coaching, and team strategies have provided me with exposure to higher levels of play and potential opportunities for national team recognition. I am incredibly grateful for the chance to compete and proud of what our team, RTC, achieved as runners-up. This journey has been a testament to hard work, teamwork, and the unwavering support of our coaches, teammates, and college. While we fell just short of the title, this experience has only fueled my determination to grow as a player. Thank you to everyone who believed in us this is just the beginning.”

She added, “To further my basketball career in Bhutan, essential support systems are crucial. These include advanced training facilities, specialized skill coaches, clear pathways to the national team, financial sponsorships for equipment and travel, and stronger grassroots development programs to elevate the overall competition level. Investing in these areas will not only benefit individual players like me but also contribute to the growth and success of women’s basketball nationwide.”

Tandin Wangmo another player from RTC explained, “Playing in the Thimphu Women’s Basketball League has made me more confident and helped me grow as a leader. It pushed me to improve my skills and be more responsible, both on and off the court. Balancing studies and basketball are tough, but I manage by planning my time well. Being a team captain motivates me to stay committed to both.”

Sonam Zangmo a passionate basketball audience shared, “Watching the Griffins dominate the final match was truly inspiring. The energy, skill, and teamwork they displayed, especially with Dolkar’s incredible performance, showed how far women’s basketball has come in Bhutan. For a long time, female athletes didn’t get much attention or opportunity, so seeing this league flourish is a huge step forward.”

The crowd’s excitement filled the stadium, a clear sign of growing support for women’s sports. Many spectators shared hopes that this successful inaugural league would become a permanent fixture, helping to inspire the next generation of young athletes.

She added, “This league is breaking barriers and changing mindsets. My younger sister was watching from the sidelines, and now she’s eager to start playing basketball herself. Events like this show that women can excel just as much as men in sports. I hope the Bhutan Basketball Federation continues to build on this momentum and that more girls across Bhutan get these kinds of opportunities.”