Exciting news for Paro FC fans! The club has announced the signing of Evan Asante, a talented forward from Ghana. Evan previously played against Paro FC in the AFC Cup for Defenders FC of Sri Lanka. He has already played three times in the AFC Cup during his time in Sri Lanka and will surely prove to be an asset when Paro FC faces Machhindra FC from Nepal in the upcoming AFC Cup. Evan has admired the club’s style of play and has been eager to be a part of it. With a burning desire to succeed, Evan is determined to give his all and contribute his best to the team. Fans can look forward to witnessing his prolific skills on the field as Paro FC aims for continued success. Evan was in Bhutan in 2020 to play an AFC Cup match, and he enjoyed the atmosphere in Bhutan since then. Now he is back in Bhutan, saying, “I’m already loving the club and Bhutan – really happy that I chose to come to this beautiful country.” Evan has been nominated for the MVP award four times and has been the top scorer twice in the Sri Lanka Premier League.
Paro FC talisman Kazou rejoins Puspa’s team for 2023 BPL season.
Kazou Hommo, the 43-year-old Japanese veteran striker, is making a highly anticipated return to Bhutan for the 2023 BPL season, where he will once again don the colors of Paro FC. After a successful stint with Samut Prakan FC in Thailand, Hommo is excited to reunite with his former club and give his all on the Bhutanese pitch. Fully aware of the expectations from the passionate Paro FC fans, Hommo is determined to give 100% to the team. He understands the significance of his role and is committed to making a meaningful impact on the field. His experience and composure make him a valuable asset, capable of inspiring his teammates and contributing to the success of the club. Beyond football, Hommo is eager to delve deeper into the mystique of Bhutan, immersing himself in the country’s unique culture and understanding the mindset of the local people. He is grateful for the opportunity to gain more experiences and hopes to forge a strong bond with the community during his time in Bhutan. As the 2023 BPL season approaches, Kazou Hommo’s return to Paro FC brings excitement and anticipation for both the player and the fans. With his skills, determination, and a deep appreciation for Bhutan, Hommo aims to be a driving force behind Paro FC’s pursuit of glory in the upcoming season.
Florent has returned to Paro FC for third spell.
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.