Bhutan NOC signs landmark agreement to promote sports and physical activity in schools

In a fitting tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 11th November.

This landmark agreement establishes a shared commitment to promote sports and physical activity across all schools, nurturing physical fitness and wellbeing of Bhutanese youth.

The MoU outlines a cooperative framework that leverages the strengths and resources of both institutions to create a sustainable sports culture in schools.

Rooted in the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, this initiative highlights the invaluable role of regular physical activity in supporting the holistic development of our youth. Through this partnership, the BOC and MoESD will work jointly to expand access to sports programmes, fostering inclusive physical activities at all educational levels.

In the coming years, the BOC and MoESD will collaborate on initiatives such as integrating sports and physical activity programmes into the school curricular, establishing national and regional sports schools and training sports personnel to cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment where every young Bhutanese feels encouraged and supported in reaching their highest potential, on and off the field.

HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee and OCA Vice President for South Asia, said: “The vision encapsulated in this MoU reflects a common understanding of our collective duty to cultivate resilience, discipline and a sense of purpose among our young people.

“It is our hope that, through these efforts, every Bhutanese child will not only benefit from a sound education but will also be instilled with the principles of teamwork, integrity and respect – values that strengthen our communities and fortify our national identity.”