What was once regarded largely as a recreational activity is gradually developing into a competitive sporting field in Bhutan, with young gamers seeking opportunities to represent the country and build careers within the expanding esports industry.
The growing interest is visible among students such as 20-year-old Yoetshel Pelmen, who began playing mobile games simply to relax after classes. Today, the Royal Thimphu College student dedicates several hours to improving her performance in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
Her commitment recently paid off when her team, ICY Arora, won the girls’ national Mobile Legends championship preliminaries for the 2027 qualifiers. The victory has opened the door for the team to compete at a higher level.
Yoetshel said gaming became easier to manage once she established clear boundaries between study and leisure.
“Finding a balance between gaming and studying really reduced the stress,” she said. “After classes, I would finish my homework and then call my friends to play. It became a good way to relax.”
Like many young players, she initially faced concerns from family members who viewed gaming as a distraction. However, she said responsible time management allowed her to pursue her interest without compromising her education.
Her experience reflects the changing esports landscape in Bhutan, where competitive games such as PUBG Mobile, Valorant, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Tekken, Free Fire, Mobile Legends and digital chess are attracting a steadily increasing number of participants.
The Bhutan Esports Association is now working to transform this enthusiasm into a structured and sustainable sector. Its long-term vision extends beyond professional players and includes employment opportunities for coaches, referees, team managers, event officials and tournament organisers.
The association’s admission as a member of the Bhutan Olympic Committee in 2025 was an important milestone in efforts to establish esports as an organised competitive discipline.
Sherab Lhamo, secretary general of the Bhutan Esports Association, said the development of a formal platform could generate new forms of employment for young Bhutanese.
“Some people are already earning through esports as professional players and tournament organisers,” she said. “Our objective is to create a sustainable career pathway with genuine employment opportunities.”
As part of efforts to professionalise the field, aspiring esports athletes are required to register with the association and undergo training in responsible and ethical gaming before taking part in recognised competitions.
Players who perform well in national championships may then qualify to represent Bhutan at international tournaments.
For national Mobile Legends champion Jigme Norbu, the possibility of competing under the Bhutanese flag provides strong motivation to continue training.
“My teammates and I are excited to represent Bhutan,” he said. “We have practised hard, competed successfully and earned our place as national champions. Now we want to demonstrate what we are capable of on the international stage.”
However, players and organisers acknowledge that esports cannot be treated as an easy or casual career choice. Competitive gaming demands regular practice, teamwork, strategic thinking and the ability to perform under pressure.
Jigme said young people considering esports professionally must be prepared to work consistently.
“Esports is still a challenging field in Bhutan,” he said. “Anyone who wants to make it a career has to remain focused, give their best and understand that success requires dedication.”
Esports enthusiast Pelden Lhamo Dorji agreed that discipline and proper time management are essential, particularly for students.
“When it is time to study, young people should concentrate on their studies, and when it is time to play, they should give their full attention to the game,” she said. “The problem arises when gaming begins to interfere with study hours.”
Yoetshel, meanwhile, believes young people should not abandon their interests simply because of academic or social pressure.
“There is a lot of pressure on young people to perform well academically and remain productive,” she said. “But we should also make time for the things we enjoy. The most important thing is not to give up.”
With the Bhutan Esports National Championship scheduled to return next year, more aspiring players are expected to enter the competitive arena.
For Bhutan’s emerging generation of gamers, the tournament will offer more than trophies and recognition. It will provide an opportunity to test their abilities, earn a place on the national stage and contribute to a sporting industry that is still taking shape.
