Building the Future of Bhutanese Football
It was a moment of immense pride for everyone at Paro FC. We had the distinct honour of welcoming a delegation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) to our facilities for the official AFC Elite Youth Scheme 2-Star Rating Assessment — a milestone that underscores our club’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of Bhutanese footballers.
This assessment is no ordinary review. The AFC Elite Youth Scheme is one of Asia’s most rigorous frameworks for evaluating academy infrastructure, coaching quality, player development pathways, and overall organisational standards. Earning recognition under this scheme places a club among the elite development institutions on the continent — and Paro FC is proudly in pursuit of that standard.
AFC ASSESSOR
President with Takeshi Ono ( Deputy Technical Director)
AFC ASSESSOR
President with Deepak Nayak ( Panel )
GOVERNING BODY
Bhutan Football Federation Officials
Team Photo with AFC Delegates
We extend our most sincere gratitude to Mr. Takeshi Ono and Mr. Deepak Nayak of the AFC, who made the journey to Paro to conduct the assessment and guide our academy structures with expert insight. Their time, expertise, and constructive feedback are invaluable to our growth.
Equally, our heartfelt appreciation goes to the Bhutan Football Federation and its officials for working hand-in-hand with us every step of the way. Youth development in Bhutan is a shared mission, and it is the spirit of this partnership that makes progress possible.
Why Paro FC Applied for the AFC Elite Youth Scheme 2-Star
At Paro FC, we believe Bhutanese football must continuously evolve to compete at higher levels across Asia. Applying for the AFC Elite Youth Scheme 2-Star is not only about certification — it is about challenging ourselves to raise standards in every area of youth development.
From coaching methodology and sports science to safeguarding, education, facilities, and player welfare, the process pushes us to build a professional ecosystem that can consistently produce disciplined, technically strong, and internationally competitive footballers.
We want our young players to grow in an environment that matches the best development standards in Asia.
Benefits of Achieving AFC Elite Youth Scheme 2-Star Recognition
If awarded, the AFC Elite Youth Scheme 2-Star recognition would represent a major milestone not only for Paro FC, but for Bhutanese football as a whole. Key benefits include:
- Official AFC recognition as a high-standard youth development academy.
- Greater credibility and visibility within Asian football networks.
- Improved pathways for young Bhutanese players to access elite competitions, scholarships, and international opportunities.
- Enhanced coaching structures and long-term player development systems.
- Stronger confidence among parents, partners, sponsors, and stakeholders.
- Increased opportunities for international collaboration, exchanges, and technical partnerships.
- Establishing Paro FC as a benchmark for youth football development in Bhutan.
This journey reflects our long-term vision: to create a sustainable football culture where Bhutanese talent can dream bigger, compete stronger, and proudly represent the nation on the Asian stage.
