𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭

…𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏’𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍

By Sonam Choden

The 2025 BoB Bhutan Women’s National League is set to begin on April 19, with ten teams from across the country vying for supremacy. This year’s competition promises a new level of intensity as clubs implement fresh strategies to address the evolving challenges of women’s football in Bhutan.

For several clubs, the focus is on building stronger team dynamics and enhancing individual skills. Transport United Ladies FC, a club known for its ambition, is sharpening its tactics under the guidance of head coach Karma Dema. The team has been strengthening its squad and is preparing for a high-stakes season after a period of disrupted training. Coach Dema’s focus this season is not only on technical skills but also on developing emotional resilience and mental toughness. “The strength of the team lies in the collective spirit,” Dema emphasized, highlighting how each player’s development is critical to the team’s success.

One player to watch is Sunita Rai, a midfielder for Transport United. She has set her sights on becoming a key player this season, focusing on improving her tactical awareness and decision-making. “I believe in setting goals and working relentlessly toward them,” Rai said. “This season, I want to push myself and contribute to our team’s success.”

Meanwhile, RTC WFC, the reigning champions, are looking to defend their title with an emphasis on building team cohesion. The team has continued its pre-season with a series of friendly matches to fine-tune their tactical approach.

One of the most anticipated stories this season is the return of Paro FCW after a two-year absence. The team has been in the background, restructuring and scouting new talent. Their focus on nurturing local talent could prove to be a key differentiator in the competition, alongside their recent signings of international players, including some from Bangladesh. This mix of experience and homegrown potential could provide the perfect formula for success as they aim to make an immediate impact.

Thimphu City WFC has also been hard at work during the off-season, emphasizing mental preparation and unity. Team captain Pema Choden Tshering believes that creating an environment of trust and support will be vital as they aim to challenge the top contenders. “Football is a team sport, and unity is the foundation of our success,” Tshering said. “We are focusing on improving not just our physical game but also our mental preparation.”

Head coach Yeshi Wangda acknowledged that the competition this year is fiercer than ever, but the team’s resilience and strong team culture are what will help them retain their championship status.“We have been working on tactical flexibility and mental resilience,” said Wangda. “It’s crucial to adapt to different playing styles, especially as more teams are bringing in international players.”

Other teams such as Ugyen Academy WFC, Gelephu Academy Girls, and Samtse WFC are also setting their sights on developing long-term talent. They are not just looking at immediate results but also building for future seasons by focusing on player development and creating a supportive environment for emerging footballers.

“We are committed to developing players who can compete at the highest level,” said Denka, head coach of Ugyen Academy WFC. “Our training regimen emphasizes skill-building and tactical awareness, while also fostering leadership qualities.”

The 2025 BoB Bhutan Women’s National League is expected to feature many exciting matchups as clubs compete for the title. With a renewed focus on team development, mental resilience, and individual growth, this season promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Football fans across Bhutan are eagerly awaiting the kick-off, knowing that the competition will deliver thrilling performances and stories of perseverance, teamwork, and triumph.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the rising stars of Bhutanese football- players who are set to shape the future of the game in the country, with the 2025 season marking a significant chapter in the history of the Bhutan Women’s National League.