A new chapter in Bhutanese basketball unfolded this past weekend as the Basketball Federation of Bhutan launched its first-ever 3×3 basketball tournament in Thimphu. The event, part of a wider initiative to discover and nurture the next generation of basketball stars, brought together students from 13 middle and higher secondary schools across Thimphu and Paro.
The 3×3 format, a fast-paced half-court version of basketball played with three players on each side, has been gaining global popularity and is officially endorsed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). By introducing the format at home, the federation hopes to prepare Bhutanese youth for participation in international competitions.
“This tournament is our first step toward competing internationally in the 3×3 format,” said Nima Gyaltshen, a coach with the federation. “Until now, Bhutan has not been allowed to take part in 3×3 matches abroad because we had never hosted one locally. This marks an important milestone.”
Schools Celebrate Historic Wins
The tournament saw spirited performances from both boys and girls, with Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School emerging victorious in the girls’ category and Changangkha Middle Secondary School taking the boys’ title.
Kinzang Lhamo, a member of the winning Lungtenzampa team, expressed her pride in the achievement. “We are proud to have emerged as winners. This has inspired us to continue playing and improving in 3×3 basketball. We are grateful to the organisers for making this possible.”
For the Changangkha boys’ team, teamwork was key to their success. “Through this experience, I have learned that anything is possible when a team works together with unity and cooperation,” said student player Tandin Gyeltshen. “I would like to sincerely thank our teachers and friends for their support.”
Expanding the Future of Basketball
The federation hopes to expand the tournament beyond the capital in the coming years. However, financial constraints remain a significant challenge.
“With the support of private sponsors, we managed to organise this inaugural event,” Coach Gyaltshen noted. “If more funding becomes available, we aim to take the tournament to other districts so more students can experience and benefit from it.”
Despite the hurdles, the initiative is widely seen as a crucial step toward building a strong national basketball programme from the grassroots level. By investing in youth and promoting new formats of the game, the federation aims to ensure that Bhutan is not only participating but also competing on the global basketball stage in the years to come.
