The quiet rhythm of monastic life briefly gave way to the sound of leather on willow as monks and nuns across Bhutan stepped onto a cricket field for an unprecedented occasion. In a striking blend of tradition and teamwork, around one hundred members of the monastic community gathered in Thimphu for the finals of the country’s first-ever cricket championship exclusively for monks and nuns.
Dressed not in conventional sports attire but in flowing red robes, the players brought a unique calm to the crease. As bats swung and balls arced through the air, robes fluttered gently, and applause rose without losing its softness. The match unfolded in a spirit far removed from fierce competition — instead marked by smiles, encouragement, and mutual respect.
The championship represented the second phase of the Cricket4All Programme, building on groundwork laid during an earlier training phase. Last year, monks and nuns from four monasteries and one nunnery underwent a five-day cricket training programme, preparing them not just to play, but to play together.
Participants described the experience as both joyful and transformative. For many, the tournament was their first opportunity to engage in organised sport. Beyond the novelty, players highlighted the benefits of teamwork, cooperation, and physical fitness — qualities often overlooked in monastic education.
Organisers emphasised that the initiative was about far more than sport. According to members of the Central Monastic Body, physical activity plays a crucial role in supporting mental wellbeing and confidence, especially for monks and nuns who may struggle with public interaction or performance. Cricket, they noted, offered a safe and enjoyable way to address these challenges.
The finals concluded with Dechen Phodrang Monastery emerging victorious against Phochu Dhumra Buddhist Monastic School. In the women’s category, Team B from Tenchen Choeling Gatshel Buddhist College for Nuns claimed victory over Team A. Yet trophies and results seemed secondary to the sense of shared achievement on display.
The event was organised by the Cricket Council Board in collaboration with UNICEF Bhutan, with the aim of promoting physical wellbeing, unity, and essential life skills within the monastic community.
As the day drew to a close and prayer beads returned to familiar hands, one message lingered clearly in the air: spirituality and sport need not exist apart. On this pitch in Thimphu, joy, health, and harmony proved to be the true champions.
