Turning runs into rights for child monks and nuns

Leveraging the power of cricket to empower children with life skills, build self-esteem, and foster teamwork, more than 60 monks and 24 nuns participated for the first time in the Cricket4All T10 Championship, held today at the Jigmethang Cricket Ground, Thimphu.

Organised by the Central Monastic Body, the Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB) and UNICEF, the championship marks the official introduction of cricket for children and youth in monastic schools to promote physical well-being, inclusion, and social engagement among monastic communities through sport.

His Eminence the Tsugla Lopen Karma Rangdrol from the Central Monastic Body, graced the opening and emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for young monks and nuns to learn teamwork and leadership skills.

“As part of their human rights and children’s rights, our young monks and nuns have the right to enjoy their childhood, learn through play, and develop their talents,” His Eminence said. “As we embark on this exciting journey, we are confident that the values of sportsmanship, discipline, and camaraderie will resonate deeply with our students.”

Over two days, children and youth from five monastic schools across Bhutan competed in league matches and the final match on the second day. Before the matches, training was held in monastic schools in Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Trongsa, and Trashigang.

The Cricket4All Program has reached 849 monks and nuns across five monastic schools in these districts. The initiative seeks to integrate sports into monastic life, cultivating holistic development, and positive engagement.

UNICEF Bhutan’s Deputy Representative a.i, Lekema Dorji said UNICEF is proud that the partnership brings cricket into monastic life to help young monks and nuns build skills like teamwork, confidence, and resilience.

Implemented in two phases, the program began with five-day cricket training sessions in four monasteries and one nunnery. Building on this foundation, the T10 Championship provided practical match experience, with 14 players from each institution participating.

CEO of BCCB, Damber S Gurung said that since 2017, BCCB’s partnership with UNICEF Bhutan has shown that cricket can be more than a sport and be a powerful platform for education, inclusion, and positive social change.

“This year’s engagement with monks and nuns is especially meaningful, as it brings together sport, values, and advocacy in a way that respects our culture while promoting the wellbeing and rights of children and young people,” he said. “BCCB is proud to collaborate with UNICEF and the Central Monastic Body in using cricket to inspire learning, discipline and shared responsibility.”

An initiative of BCCB, the Cricket4All T10 Championship aims to promote cricket in Bhutan by developing infrastructure, providing trainings opportunities and organising tournaments nationwide. In T10 cricket, each team gets just 10 overs to bat, making every ball count as the team with the most runs win the match. Through these initiatives, BCCB is working to make cricket an integral part of Bhutan’s cultural and sporting identity. 

Following the inaugural Cricket4All T10 Championship held last year, the second edition of the tournament this year introduced cricket in monastic schools and aims to expand it to 30 monasteries and nunneries nationwide.