In a landmark move for cricket development in the Himalayas, Bhutan is this week playing host to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) prestigious Level 3 Coaching Course. For the first time ever, the five-day masterclass—running from April 27 to May 1—is being staged in Thimphu under the auspices of the Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB).
Four of the ICC’s senior master educators have descended on the capital to guide 21 hand-picked coaches representing 14 Asian nations through an intensive curriculum. Participants, each already holding recognized coaching credentials, will delve into advanced performance-based coaching techniques, ethical leadership in sport, and the crafting of annual training plans aimed at maximizing player development.
“By offering this level of education locally, we’re nurturing a new generation of high-performance coaches who can drive cricket forward not only in Bhutan but across Asia,” said BCCB President Thinley Wangchuk Dorji. His optimism reflects Bhutan’s recent surge in grassroots initiatives, which have seen cricket emerge as one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports.
BCCB CEO Damber S. Gurung, himself one of only three Bhutanese coaches to have completed the Level 3 qualification, echoed that sentiment. “The ICC’s commitment to Bhutan has been instrumental. Hosting this course here amplifies our capacity to train elite coaches and, by extension, elevate the standard of play nationwide,” he remarked.
Among the Bhutanese contingent are senior coaches Kencho Norbu and Kumar Subba, the latter of whom leads the Under-19 men’s programme. “Participating in this course is a dream for any coach,” Subba reflected. “The knowledge I gain will not only refine my own approach but enable me to mentor emerging talent back home.”
ICC Asia’s Development Manager and Master Educator, MD Aminul Islam, underscored the council’s broader strategy: “Our focus is on high performance, grassroots development, and expanding women’s cricket. Although no women coaches are attending in Thimphu, nine women’s teams will compete in the Women’s Championships in Thailand this week with dedicated coaching support. We plan similar Level 3 programmes for women in the near future.”
Islam also praised Bhutan’s organisational strengths: “Even nations without top-tier facilities can play host to world-class training programmes. Bhutan has demonstrated consistent excellence in grassroots outreach, making it an ideal venue.”
While powerhouses such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan continue to dominate Asia’s cricket landscape, the ICC’s investment in emerging markets signals a shift toward greater regional parity. As Bhutan cements its role in this strategy, the expertise cultivated over these five days promises to ripple through every level of the game—from schoolyards to national stadiums.
The Thimphu course concludes on May 1, after which attendees will return to their home boards armed with cutting-edge methodologies and an expanded professional network—key ingredients in the ICC’s vision for cricket’s next generation
