Paro FC is thrilled to welcome back Florent Koara to our team for the upcoming BPL 2023 season! His return is highly anticipated, and we couldn’t be happier to have him back as a part of our family. His time with Paro FC last season was nothing short of remarkable, and Florent’s contributions to Paro FC’s triumphant journey to the third Championship were invaluable. His skills and dominance in central defense were instrumental in Paro’s success, and his presence on the field truly made a difference. Prior to returning to Paro, he was playing for Aakraman FC in the Sikkim Premier League. Florent played crucial role at the club, and it was evident that he continued to display the same determination, passion, and leadership that we have come to admire. His efforts played a vital role in securing the Championship for Aakraman FC, and we commend him for his outstanding performance. Aakraman FC, Champions of Sikkim Premier League Florent with Sikkim Premier League championship Trophy “I always feel good to be back here because it’s where I started my International career, and it feels like home already. The management and officials always provide a good pathway for professional football career, so I always miss the club when I’ve have to leave” says Florent. “As he return to Paro FC, we have no doubt that he will seamlessly integrate into the team once again. His experience, knowledge, and exceptional defensive abilities will undoubtedly strengthen our squad and enhance our chances of success in the upcoming season” Says Coach Puspa Lal. Paro FC fans are excited to witness Florent’s skills on the field, to see him donning Paro FC colors once more, and to cheer him on as he continue to make fans proud. Welcome back, Florent! Let’s make the BPL 2023 season an unforgettable one together.
Paro FC receives AFC club License
Paro FC receives AFC Club license. The AFC Club Licensing for the competition year 2023 were fulfilled by Paro FC, Thimphu City FC, and Ugyen Academy FC. Out of the six clubs that registered for the AFC Club Licensing, only these three clubs successfully obtained the license. Similarly, for the National Club Licensing, a total of 17 clubs applied for the license, but only four clubs, namely Thimphu Women’s FC, Ugyen Academy WFC, Thimphu Raven FC, and Namlha FC, met the Club Licensing criteria and were granted the license. AFC club license is issued after a club meets criteria in five different sections – Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel and Administrative, Legal and Financial obligations.
Paro FC wins Prestigious Sustainability Clubs Award
Paro Football Club has been recognized and honored with the Top Sustainability Clubs Award for the 2022-2023 season by the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF). This award acknowledges the club’s exceptional dedication to sustainability goals and its alignment with the three pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action. Paro FC emerged as one of the two outstanding finalists after a rigorous assessment conducted by the Club Licensing Section in the Competition Department. Alongside Thimphu City FC, Paro FC demonstrated commendable initiatives and activities related to sustainability, impressing the expert panel during field visits. To determine the ultimate winner, both clubs were invited to deliver comprehensive presentations before the panel. After careful deliberation, Paro Football Club was selected as the recipient of the Top Sustainability Club Award for the 2022-2023 season. The club has showcased dedication to fulfilling all three identified SDGs schemes: Climate Change, waste management, and sustainable cities and communities. Paro FC has been proactive in incorporating climate action into its daily activities since its inception in 2018, beginning with simple initiatives like the use of reusable water bottles and environmentally friendly construction materials. The club’s President, Karma Jigme, who holds a master’s degree in conservation, has been instrumental in driving the club’s environmental sustainability goals. Thimphu City Football Club, while being the runner-up for the overall Sustainability Project, received recognition as the Top Waste Management Club and Top Advocacy Club. The club has focused primarily on waste management and promoting sustainable cities and communities. As a gesture of appreciation, the Bhutan Football Federation awarded a cash prize of Nu. 20,000 and a certificate to Paro FC, along with training equipment worth Nu. 40,000. Thimphu City FC also received a cash prize of Nu. 10,000, a certificate for being the top waste management and best advocating club, and training equipment worth Nu. 20,000. This prestigious award highlights Paro FC’s exceptional commitment to sustainability within the football community and serves as a benchmark for other sports clubs to follow. The club’s efforts to initiate and implement sustainable practices across various domains are commendable and set an exemplary standard for others to emulate.
Elevating Paro FC to New Heights in the Football World
Introducing Sangalo: Elevating Paro FC to New Heights in the Football World New York-based startup Sangalo is revolutionizing the e-commerce platform scene as the official jersey distributor of Paro FC. With a vision to extend the reach of football clubs beyond their local territories, Sangalo is on a mission to bring widespread exposure to lesser-known teams from all corners of the globe. The brainchild of a passionate group of friends driven by their immense love for the beautiful game, Sangalo is making waves by partnering with a diverse range of football clubs. Initially, the startup focused on raising awareness for Express FC from Uganda, showcasing their two distinctive jerseys. However, Sangalo’s ambitions quickly soared as they expanded their partnerships to include Indian Super League champions Hyderabad FC and the Bhutan Premier League victors, Paro FC. T10 Sports, renowned for customization and craftsmanship, has collaborated with Paro FC to produce striking red and black home design as well the captivating yellow and black away jerseys. Hyderabad FC and Express FC, on the other hand, are supplied by Hummel and AZ respectively. These partnerships serve as a testament to Sangalo’s commitment to providing smaller, local technical partners with amplified exposure—an integral aspect that the company fervently supports. Driven by an unwavering determination, Sangalo aims to propel their partner teams, previously relatively unknown in traditional football-loving regions, to the global stage. The possibilities for these clubs are limitless, and Sangalo stands as their steadfast supporter, dedicated to nurturing their growth and raising their profiles on a global scale. Thanks to Sangalo, expressing your unwavering support for Paro FC is now easier than ever, no matter where you are in the world. Our official jerseys, meticulously crafted to reflect the spirit and essence of the team, are readily available online. Place your order now and showcase your allegiance to Paro FC in a style befitting their exceptional talent and ambition Ⓢⓗⓞⓟ Ⓝⓞⓦ: https://www.sangalo.co/products/paro-fc
Paro FC leads the way by introducing Teqball table at their ground!
Paro FC has become the first Bhutanese football club to introduce a Teqball table at their ground. This move further solidifies the growing popularity and recognition of Teqball within the football community. With most English Premier League clubs embracing the sport and incorporating it into their training regimes, Paro FC’s adoption of Teqball showcases their commitment to staying at the forefront of modern football training techniques. Teqball is a unique sport that combines elements of football and table tennis, played on a curved table. It challenges players’ skills in ball control, agility, coordination, and decision-making. The game emphasizes close control and precision passing, allowing players to improve their technique, touch, and overall footballing abilities. The decision of Paro FC to introduce a Teqball table at their ground reflects a deep understanding of the benefits the sport offers to footballers. By incorporating Teqball into their training sessions, players can enhance their technical skills, improve their reaction times, and develop a better understanding of match scenarios. The inclusion of Teqball in their training regime provides Paro FC’s players with an additional tool to hone their abilities and gain a competitive edge. The fact that several prominent English Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton, Wolverhampton, Watford, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Burnley, have already adopted Teqball speaks volumes about its effectiveness. These clubs recognize the value of incorporating Teqball into their training routines to help their players reach their full potential on the pitch. Paro FC’s introduction of a Teqball table not only signifies their commitment to innovation and player development but also highlights their dedication to staying ahead of the curve in terms of training methodologies. By embracing Teqball, they have demonstrated their willingness to explore new avenues for enhancing the skills of their players and pushing the boundaries of traditional training techniques. As Teqball continues to gain popularity within the football community, it is likely that more clubs, both at the elite and grassroots levels, will follow suit. The sport offers a fun and challenging way to improve technical abilities, fostering healthy competition and camaraderie among players. Overall, Paro FC’s pioneering move to introduce a Teqball table at their ground sets a remarkable example for other clubs in Bhutan, reinforcing the notion that embracing innovative training methods can lead to tangible benefits on the pitch. The integration of Teqball into football training regimes opens up new avenues for skill development and further enhances the player’s overall performance, ultimately elevating the standard of the game.
INTERVIEW WITH PHUB THINLEY
Interview with Mr. Phub Thinley, Professional Football Player Today we have the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Phub Thinley, a professional football player from Paro FC. Let’s dive into his journey of becoming a successful football player. 𝐐.𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬? As a science student, particularly pursuing mechanical engineering, I never thought I would choose football as my career. However, everyone in my community is very passionate about sports. 𝗤.𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀? Until 12th grade, I was into cricket and even represented Bhutan in the under-16 and under-19 age groups. Football was not my first choice at that time. 𝗤.𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗼 𝗙𝗖? My interest in football grew during my college days, and after completing my studies, I was called for a trial with Paro FC and got selected. It was both my debut and the club’s debut in the National League back in 2018. Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a football player so far? My biggest accomplishment so far has been winning the Bhutan Premier League with Paro FC in 2019. It was a proud moment for me and my team as it was the first time in the club’s history that we won the league. 𝐐. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲? So far, I have scored 33 goals for the club and 1 goal for the country in the South Asian Games against Maldives. 𝐐. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥? In my leisure time, I love spending time at the gym and keeping myself busy with short-distance run, especially in the evenings. 𝐐.𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐲. Throughout my five-year journey in football, I have been fortunate to not encounter any major injuries. It has been a wonderful ride so far, and I owe all the credit to Paro FC, my family, friends, and everyone who has supported me along the way. I always dream of contributing to my country and community in my own small way, so I hope to receive the same support from everyone. Q: What advice would you give to young aspiring football players? My advice to young aspiring football players would be to work hard and never give up on your dreams. It’s important to have a passion for the sport and to be dedicated to training and improving your skills. Also, always believe in yourself and never let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your goals. Thank you, Mr. Phub Thinley (also know as Bonks) for sharing your inspiring journey with us. It’s impressive to see how you balanced your academic pursuits with passion for sports and became a successful footballer. Your dedication to training is evident from your achievements, and it’s great to see that you enjoy keeping your fit and active even during leisure time. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope you continues to make your club, country and community proud
Thank You – BPL 2022 Season
THANK YOU !!! Paro Football Club would like to extend a sincere “THANK YOU” to our generous Sponsors for the 2022 Season. The success Paro FC achieved would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors. To our players, coaches, Paro FC staff, fans, community, families members, and volunteers – it is our team effort and sacrifice that we all made for Paro FC. We look forward to the same energy and support in the 2023 season. As a club, we appreciate and treasure the efforts provided by our President, Vice President, Board of Directors, Managers, Media, hospitality staff, volunteers, family, medical staff, and technical staff. We encourage all our fans to show their appreciation to all !!! A BIG THANK YOU! We truly appreciate the Bhutan Football Federation, Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan Telecom, Paro Dessup, and Paro Police for successfully conducting BoB Bhutan Premier League 2022 season! Our appreciation and Thank you for your continued support. We applaud all BPL clubs, coaches, and management for the sacrifice and effort put in to develop Bhutanese football. Finally a special mention of all working tirelessly behind the scene. SPONSORS: 2022 SEASON 1. Druk Asia ( Bhutan Travel Specialist) 2. Chharee Traders 3. Noryang Hotel ( Thimphu) 4. Tashi Namgay Resort ( Paro) 5. AAA Education & Migration Consultants 6. Bhutan Ecologic 7. Druk EcoTec 8. Green Kitchen 9. Penchu Boutique (Paro) 10. Namgay Heritage Hotel ( Thimphu) 11. Hotel White Tara ( Punakha) 12. Namgay Artisanal Brewery 13. Penchu Sales 14. Mindu Construction Pvt Ltd ( Paro) 15. 8 Heaven ( Convenient Store) 16. Jamden Sales 17. Namgay Import & Export (Garment Store) 18. NWD ( Garment Store) 19. Happy Fashion & Style ( Garment) 20. Basemark ( Garment ) 21. Orchid Lifestyle ( Home Decore ) 22. Euden Pem Garment 23. 1 Step Shop ( Kids toys & Garments) 24. Yeshi Dorji Mall ( Grocery ) 25. Nidup Tshongkhang ( Fruits Sponsor) TECHNICAL TEAM 1. Torsten Frank Spittler ( Technical Director) 2. Puspalal Sharma ( Head Coach) 3. Gopal Rai ( Assist Coach / Grassroots Head) 4. Indra Gurung ( Goalkeeper coach/ Youth Head) 5. Tandi Bidha ( Women Coach ) 6. Dawa Zangpo ( Women Assistant Coach/ Academy Coach) 7. Aita Raj Gurung (Academy Coach) 8. Ugyen Dorji ( Academy coach ) 9. Rigzin ( Team Physio) 10. Lhab Dorji (Team Dr) 11. Lhab Tshering ( Media) 12. Victor Gurung ( Media & Marketing Consultant) 13. Tenzin Tashi ( VP women & Team Manager for men’s team ) 14. Kuenga (Assistant team manager) 15. Kezang Galey (Women Team Manager) HOSPITALITY TEAM 1. Tshering Bidha ( Cafe & Souvenir manager) 2. Choki ( cafe chef ) 3. Sonam Wangmo ( cafe steward ) 4. Meena ( Ground steward) BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1. Karma Jigme ( President) 2. Tenzin Jamtsho ( Vice President) 3. Pasang Dorji 4. Tsheltrim Dorji 5. Chencho Norbu 6. Dorji Gyeltshen 7. Jigme Namgay 8. Pema Dorji 9. Passang Dorji
Grand Finals: Paro FC proves superior to Thimphu City FC once again
HISTORY REPEATS The Grand final was back at the Changlimithang national stadium since 2019, where Paro FC was crowned Champion for the first time. The 2022 /23 season’s result was similar to that of three years ago – history has repeated itself, and Paro FC has created Bhutan Premier League history by winning the title three times. Including Puspalal notching his third premiership as coach after his debut triumph in 2019. Surely this one was sweeter, given Thimphu City’s close runs and Paro’s near misses in the second-last match. WINNING TEAM It was not an execption for Bhutan’s star player Chencho Gyeltshen, who secured his first Bhutan Premier League Championship. The Paro FC’s undefeated season and veteran striker Kazuo’s clinical performance was an astonishing part of BPL history. Kazuo was awarded the “Golden Boot” with thirty-four goals and was named the “Most Valuable Player” of the tournament. Kazuo says “ I’m thankful to my teammates who have made this possible, without good players in the team, I alone cannot achieve this success”. Senior players like Kinley Wangchuk, Gyeltshen Zangpo, Lobzang Chogyal, Phurpa Wangchuk, Nima Tshering, Phub Thinley, and Kabi Raj were the key members of Paro FC’s triple premiership title team since 2019. Then, veteran like Chimi Dorji despite long-term injury encouraged and inspired the team to fight through and made a remarkable comeback performance. There were young players like Tshelthrim Namgyel, Yeshi Dorji, Chimi Tshewang, Tobden, Loday, Kezang, Karma Lobzang, and Heera who despite being young become top-class premiership players. They were all part of Paro FC’s 2021 title-winning squad ( except for two new goalies). Foreign players like Florent and Dang were regulars for Paro FC, and along with new addition like Kazou, Yussuf and Dela Row were the best among all foreign players in the BPL 2022. RECORD This final match against Citizens will live on in the memories of Paro FC fans, players, and management for many good reasons. Both teams faced similar title-deciding situations thrice. The last two consecutive seasons proved better for Paro and successfully defended the title. Paro FC becomes the first club not to lose a single match in the entire 2022 season. Paro FC also lauds as the only club to be crowned the Championship three times within five years of its founding. Five years record (Estd 2018) 2018- Second (BPL) 2019- Champions ( Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Memorial Gold Cup) 2019 – Champions (BPL) 2020- Third (BPL) 2021 – Champions (BPL) 2022 – Champions (BPL) THE FINAL MATCH In this year’s title-deciding match, Paro FC (the tigers) look more confident right from the start and created numerous goal-scoring chances. Tigers kept building constant pressure and at thirty-seventh minute mark our skipper Chencho Gyeltshen outpaced the Thimphu City FC ( Citizens ) defense to score a perfect goal. At half-time, Paro was leading by a lone goal. In the second half, Thimphu City went all out to level the score, however after dominating a good portion of the match, citizens failed to get on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, to add to city’s suffering, Paro FC break through the city’s mid to send Kazou at a shooting distance from where he banged a sublime goal at fifty-three minutes. Citizens, however, got a consolation in the form of a penalty, but that was not enough to win the match enabling Paro FC successfully defend the title and being Crowned Champions of BPL 2022. Congratulations to all players, technical staff, management, board of directors, family, fans, and well-wishers.
Meet one of the most versatile player
Always there on the field but not really heard of, The most versatile player at Paro FC is a young player, called Lobzang Chogyel. There are reasons unseen and unknown to public that make the best players on the field not stand out and become underrated over time. Some of them aren’t big talkers, do not boast a big personality in-front of the public and media, aren’t outspoken due to their introverted nature, and haven’t been involved in controversial matches. These players usually have a “Get the job done and lay low” mentality and their low profile attitude may have a lot to do with why, despite being best some of the best players, they seem to be somewhat forgotten and remain unheard of. Football is a game that involves a lot of team spirit, since the game comprises of 11 players. That being said, not all players on the team get the credit that they deserve; only few exceptional players with charisma gain glory and popularity. Lobzang Chogyel is one of Paro FC’s consistent performers for. Despite being benched for 3 consecutive years by the coach, for his scope of development, he lauds and has proven to be one of the most consistent and patient players with immense potential. Currently, Lobzang and his versatile skills has proven him an asset to the team. He has been selected by Puspalal the coach, not only as Centre back but also as the full back, defensive and attacking midfielder. He is composed and takes trainings seriously; with a low profile attitude, he gets along with all the team mates, he is one of the most liked players by his team mates. Lobzang is a technically gifted player who possesses sublime dribbling and passing skills. The 26-year-old always ensures he shows up and puts up a huge competition against the big clubs. His versatility in skills has made him a player, that has been selected for playing any position for the team, except the goal keeper. However, despite the immense potential, he is an underrated player. Bio-Data: Lobzang is from Langthel, Trongsa. He started his primary school from Babesa and completed his lower secondary education from Loselling Lower Secondary School. He completed his tertiary education from College of Language and Cultural Studies, Taktse, Trongsa with a Bachelors in Culture and Literature. Lobzang recollects playing football from his childhood days. He remembers using slippers and stones as goalposts to play with his friends. As a 11-year-old boy he remembers his father taking him to Gelephu for the national youth selection camp. He made it to the final phase of the selection camp but had to leave early because he was homesick. This was also the first time he was away from his parents. When asked if he had any academy experience in football. Lobzang said that when he was in Loselling he was once selected in the C-Division U16 team and was kept at the BFF Academy in Changjigi as the U16 team was planning to play in Nepal. However, due to some reasons the tournament in Nepal was cancelled. He started his career with Paro FC in 2018. He has been with Paro FC for the last four years. Prior to joining Paro FC he made his debut with Terton FC, and won the national league in 2014. He could not continue his playing tenure with Terton FC as he had to pursue his tertiary education at Taktse College. As of now, Lobzang has a professional contract with Paro FC. “Lobzang is a man of discipline and commits 100% for all the trainings”. He aspires to play for the national team one day. He said that he has what it takes to be in the national team, if he would receive support from his parents, team mates and coaches. When asked what determined his ability to play many positions, he said that he started from the defending positions and somehow also got to experience the attacking positions as he experienced many games and trainings. He believes that it is important to be serious in trainings and compete for the positions. As he has devoted his time to live a life of a professional player, he feels that it is his commitment, discipline and determination that has pushed him this far and these attributes keep on pushing him to be better on the field. He has been working and preparing to become better. He expressed that he is at the right place , and is experiencing a professional feel to his life as a footballer. Lobzang wants to let other aspiring players know, that at the moment any aspiring footballer with passion should come and train with Paro FC if, that individual wants to realize their dreams, passion and aspirations of becoming a professional football player.