Second friendly match for Sikkim United in Bhutan

It ended in a tie, 1-1, this second friendly match for Sikkim United against a second local football club, Zimdra yesterday at Changlimithang stadium.Watch hightlights

The Indian league team played its first match last week against Drukpol that ended 4-4.

For team Zimdra, who claimed to have inexperienced players and lacked resource compared with Sikkim United whose players earn their living off the game, “yesterday’s draw felt like a massive victory”.

“Sikkim United being a club playing in the Indian league and having a good mixture of young experienced players from different places, we did not expect a draw,” team Zimdra manager Hishey Tshering said. “Having seen Sikkim United’s play against Drukpol, we predicted a draw or loss by a goal or two.”

Zimdra players were under pressure for most part of the match with Sikkim United’s experienced strikers dashing for a goal now and then, all of which its goalkeeper parried.

The first half ended without any goals for both teams.

Sikkim United had its chance to score and win the match in the 70th minute when on of its strikers’ shot on target was blocked by a Zimdra player’s hand in the D-area.

A penalty shoot out ensued with Zimdra goalie faced against one of Sikkim United’s best feet.

But the kick Sikkim United player let off directed towards the right side of the post was intercepted by Zimdra’s goalkeeper’s preempted dive.

It was a save.

That acted as stimulant for Zimdra players who went on the attack with renewed vigour, which paid off in the 77th minute of the game when Ngawang Dhendup, from the crowded D-area, sent the ball whooshing into Sikkim United’s post from top right corner.

It was not until the 82nd minute of the game that Sikkim United responded with an equaliser.

Its player, Linekar Machado, who timed his run to intercept a long pass one of his teammates sent between three Zimdra defenders, to face Zimdra goalkeeper, one-on-one.

All Machado had to do was kick the ball straight into the net through the right corner of the post as their opponent did into their post.

One goal each and that was it for the teams who still tried to break the tie during the extra two-minute time given to decide a winner through a sudden death playoff.

The stadium echoed with applauds in appreciation of an electrifying show the two teams put up.

Sikkim United coach Nathan Hall said Drukpol had weakness in ball possession while under pressure, but Zimdra players, physically robust, as they were, to his surprise he said controlled the ball pretty well.

“Converting on opportunities is something my team have failed against Indian league teams,” he said. “It’s the same situation here.”

Today Sikkim United will play their last match against Yeedzin.

Their star player, Baichung Bhutia is expected to play for at least 30 minutes of the game that starts at 4:30pm.

Source: Kuenselonline

His Majesty the King granted an audience to delegates of European Bhutan Friendship Societies

His Majesty the King granted an audience to delegates of European Bhutan Friendship Societies.

Delegates from Austria- Bhutan Society, Les Amis Du Bhutan, France, German-Bhutan Himalayan Society, Greece-Bhutan Friendly Association, Society Switzerland Bhutan, The Bhutan Society of United Kingdom, Friends of Bhutan, Netherlands, and Swedish Bhutan Society were hosted high tea at the Tashichhodzong.

Source: BBS

The “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip

The “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip, named after Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, was publicly launched today at the Nehru-Wangchuck cultural Centre in the capital.

The new tulip plant has been specially cultivated in the Netherlands for the Royal Wedding. It was chosen by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen from a lot of newly to-be-developed tulip bulbs.

With deep red petals edged with golden yellow colours, the “Queen of Bhutan” Tulip has been developed and cultivated in the Netherlands.

It was offered to Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen as a royal wedding gift from the Dutch citizens at Lingkana Palace.

The tulip was first launched in the Netherlands on September 22, this year.

The tulip reflects the longstanding friendly relationship between Bhutan and the Netherlands, and also symbolises the growing business relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the launch, the Director of Bhutan and Partners, Hank De Jong said the flower reflects the Queen’s personality  that of  warmth and kindness.

Various government officials, diplomats, representatives from the Dutch community and the local business community were present during the launch.

Source: BBS

Punakha gears for Dechhog Khorlo Dompa

The 10 hotels in Khuruthang town, Punakha, have already been booked for the first public blessing of Dechhog khorlo dompa (Chakrasamvara) that begins on December 20.

“All nine rooms in our hotel has been booked,” manager of Shivling hotel, Tandin, said. “We’re booked for all 15 days of the wang (blessing).”

Given the limited lodging facilities in the dzongkhag, which serves as the winter residence of the central monastic body, because of its warmer climes, devotees have also booked traditional houses near the dzong. “Many devotees will have to pitch tents in Zomlingthang, and on the harvested paddy fields,” Punakha dzongda, Kunzang N Tshering, said.

The construction of the wangkhang (pavilion), where His Holiness the Je Khenpo will preside over the blessings, has begun at Thangzona, a flat area located behind the Punakha dzong, the venue of the royal wedding in October last year.

In front of the pavilion will be a public seating area to accommodate around 30,000 devotees.  The shed will be built with wooden poles and tarpaulin sheets as a roof.  The people of the dzongkhag will contribute poles.

To supplement the existing water supply of the dzong, water from the Mochu will be pumped in, and several water tanks will be borrowed from Punatshangchu projects.

The dzongkhag plans to put in place a number of dustbins to check littering. “Our main worry is sanitation and waste management.” dzongda Kunzang N Tshering said. “Given the mentality, waste could get out of control.”

Shuttle buses will also be provided to pick and drop devotees, mainly to ease congestion.  Devotees can catch the shuttle from Khuruthang, Lekithang and Zomlingthang, all areas close to the dzong.  No private vehicles will be allowed during the wang.

The zhung dratsang’s tshukla lopen, Samten Dorji, said since the Dechhog Khorlo Dompa is the main yedam (tutelary deity) of drukpa kagyu, the wang is sacred. “The blessings will also cover many other yedam deities,” he said.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan traditional bamboo craft

Kangpara gewog under Trashigang Dzongkhag is seeing a decline in its traditional bamboo craft with craftsmen pursuing better economic opportunities elsewhere. Tsarzo is no longer practiced as a source of livelihood.

A 53-year-old, Ap Dorji Tenzin, from Pasaphu village is one of the few surviving bamboo craftsmen in Kangpara gewog. But unlike in the past, Ap Dorji Tenzin rarely weaves bamboo products now. He now practices Tsarzo as a hobby during free time or when guarding his fields from animals.

“I started weaving bamboo products when I was around 30 years old. I educated my children through Tsarzo and it has been an important source of cash income for me and my family,” Dorji Tenzin reminisces.

Lack of raw materials, according to Ap Dorji Tenzin, is deterring them from keeping the tradition alive. “We have to travel to far off places to get the raw materials. It is a lot of hard work.”

Developmental activities, like farm road construction in the gewog, are also affecting the tradition.

Tshogpa Sangay Wangdi says the youth are ignoring the Tsarzo because it is no longer profitable. “They say it is better to work at the construction sites than to weave bamboo products.”

The art of making bamboo products in the gewog has been spiraling down since 2005.  A businessman, Sonam Wangdi, said he used to make minimum three trips to Thimphu to sell Bangchungs and other bamboo products. “This year I haven’t been able to make a single trip as no one is weaving any longer.” He said people these days weave only to gift it to somebody.

To revive the tradition, the villagers in collaboration with the Royal Society for Protection of Nature have planted bamboo plants near their village.

Source: BBS