June 16: Basket ball is a popular sport among the youth and school going children. However the Bhutan Basketball Federation says despite its popularity not much has been done to promote the game.

Basketball was first played in the country in the late 1960s. Today, it is one of the most popular sports among Bhutanese youth and school going children.

The General Secretary of the Bhutan Basket Ball Federation Karma Lham said the sport is popular among the youth.

Federation officials said not much has been done to promote the game. They said basketball has not received the same exposure and facilities that other sports have received. Officials said lack of proper infrastructure is one of the major constraints. The only standard basketball court in the swimming pool was built in the 1970s during the coronation of the fourth Druk Gyalpo.

Lack of trained coaches and budget constraints are other problems faced by the Bhutan Basketball Federation.

"We face several problems in trying to promote and develop basket ball in Bhutan. The primary challenge we face is the lack of facilities. Even in the earlier days, that is 15-20 years back, we used to have indoor and outdoor court. Today an increasing number of young people, both girls and boys playing basket ball, which I feel is the most popular sport among young people. We have just one in door basket ball court and that’s the main difficulty that we face," said Karma Lham.

Bhutan Basketball Federation founded in 1983 has only two trained coaches. The government provides about Nu. 130,000 every year and the federation also generates about Nu. 75,000 through registration of players.

Karma Lham says adequate facilities are necessary to promote the game. He said there is also a need to provide better incentives to the players besides trophies and certificates.