Bhutan’s Tshering CHODEN graduates from international coaching development programme

Tshering CHODEN graduated from the fourth International Coaching Enrichment Certification Programme run by the US Olympic Committee and University of Delaware in April.

She received a scholarship from Olympic Solidarity and Bhutan’s Olympic Committee to study the introduction of archery in schools and development of archery in the less built-up areas of Bhutan. Currently, most archery activity takes place in the nation’s capital city.

CHODEN applied for funds from the country’s sports ministry and National Olympic Committee to develop training camps throughout Bhutan. After several months of hard work, more than 1,300 young people – 800 boys and 500 girls – practise the sport through the initiative.

Bhutan’s National Olympic Committee also launched a scholarship programme for 10 young people, allowing them to train in CHODEN’s programme while studying at school.

As well as working on performance and participation development, Tshering engaged local carpenters, craftsmen and communities to support her projects. “Not only should we practice the sport, but engage our local communities,” she said. “We must encourage them to produce the equipment we need for archery.”

Tshering has been involved in the sport for nearly two decades. She competed at two Olympic Games: Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. In Greece, she was Bhutan’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony before becoming the first Bhutanese athlete to win an Olympic archery match by beating 11 seed Lin SANG from China in the first round of eliminations.

Tshering CHODEN deserves many congratulations for completing the coaching enrichment certificate programme, which will enhance the already mightily-successful development work she’s doing in Bhutan.