FIFA World Cup Trophy arrives in Bhutan

Bhutanese Officials receiving the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

 20/12/2013 will be a very memorable day, not only for football fans but also for those people who have come all the way around the red aircraft (as shown in the picture).
Look at the picture above!. Almost all the people working in Paro airport are out to have a glimpse of the most coveted sports trophy landing in Bhutan.  I am surprised because some of the biggest Rimpoches' and lamas' did not have that many people to receive them! 

FIFA Trophy

Although there was no display of the trophy, the overwhelming crowd refused to leave the craft side. To some of my friends, I had to tell them that the trophy is hidden in three identical boxes and its safely locked and cleared already by the security officials. But most of them wouldn't listen.

As a Customs official, I had the privilege of inspecting the boxes from outside. They all look so good and secured. I didn't  know which box contained the gold cup. Along with me was my other colleague doing the inspection. And both of us made sure that we at least touched the boxes. Later, while we were inspecting the podium and other shipments, I told him to touch them as well and we both laughed.

Monsoon Football Thoughts

Sonam Sir has written about the most awaited and most celebrated monsoon football tournament somewhere in Bumthang. His short essay reminded me of my glorious footballing days. Memories came rushing through my spine and I felt nostalgic. I felt energized and reinvigorated and here is what I wrote on his blog. 

Sonam Sir,

All the best.

your essay reminded me of my footballing days in Paro. Yes, as you have mentioned, I also used to celebrate myself like you....and I tell you it gave me lot of confidence.... I can't remember the year but It was a game where Bumthangpas in paro with hired Bumthap players from Thimphu played against an army team in airport. with game at stalemate, I nearly had a fight with ref when i found him being bias with his decisions. It was quite a game even though we didn't have ref after that moment.

Those days, I hardly knew how to drop the ball but, I considered my self nothing less than a player who has the potential being a "strike" force. But sadly many a time, I was made to play as goal keeper....slowly but painfully, i got promoted to defense....I have many painful experience playing as defense.....

Later that thing was to change, It was in Changjiji ground where we outplayed, combined team of RCSC and DRC of Thimphu. i scored the opening goal for our team! and my other friend, who had the same painful history, scored the winning goal!....with that game, I finally saw myself being promoted in the forward (That was more of a self promotion though) LOL.....

and the last time I played football was in June,2012 (I was on my summer break) I played a warm-up game siding Customs and Immigration team. (and those days, I used to be the team captain and manager myself) I had my boot Which I bought it for more than thousand bugs. I think we lost the game, but I did my part, - I scored one goal playing in the wing position....and i thought I was included in the team for the real match.......but sadly not.... my successor wasn't impressed with my performance..... I was not even included in the bench warmers list......  It was bitter moment for me. But when they lost the first game by a large margin, I thought to my self that they missed the gold in me.....he he 

But nevertheless, I am working hard here in India now, I want to keep myself fit and strong so that i can perform better next time. Me and my friend already bought a skipping rope and I am making full use of it.

Anyways, all the best for your upcoming match on Tuesday... and yea, buy one boot......I think it will give u an additional reason to celebrate yourslef.....

My vague recollection of how I fell for football.

The spring is in the air and so are lads in the ground. The grasses are sprouting and are blooming with flowers. Birds are singing their hearts out with the break of dawn and so are ants on the ground scurrying and bees buzzing around. It’s once again a season for any living organisms to rejuvenate and celebrate the homecoming of warm breeze and sprinkling rain yet another time.

Personally speaking, of the four seasons we have in calendar, spring is undoubtedly the most pleasant season of all. Name any activity and the season is favorable for it, including the soccer game, that is played mostly when the weather is warm and less windy.

In line with the statement above, I did make my appearance in the soccer ground after a period of eight dry and dusty months (on 15^th May 2011). It was my pleasure being there with my limbs fit and healthy, just as my body, healthy and stable.

Mind you I am not a even a mediocre soccer player. But I have a love for this game which is even bigger than the love Messi, Rooney, Fabragas, Ronaldo and Beckham have for it. I am the biggest of all the bigger fans when it comes to soccer!

There were times in my distant past, where, when I ran away or disappeared altogether in the games periods. The reasons were simple. I couldn’t afford a sports shoes and other sports wears like track suits. During my high school days, those were not a mere necessity but were an item of luxury and style.

Having spent my entire 1999 year watching it either on TV or in my neighborhood, I learned the most important rules of the games like off-side, corner, penalty kick, dead ball, drop ball, hand ball, D-box, red card, yellow card,  free kick and the difference between the league round and the knockout round.

It was until I reached my 12^th grade that I got the opportunity to play the game I long admired and loved. I was first considered into my class team as a substitute. Playing game on the basis of substitute was the most boring thing and I didn’t like the idea at all. So I decided to withdraw from the team for good. Then, few of my friends who actually formed the team gave me the most important role in the game; -the goal keeper. 

I would often practice all day long to catch those bouncing balls, rolling balls, crossing balls, looping balls and most of all, those shooting balls only to fail miserably when it was show time. How true, if you weren’t with horse when young, you will never know to saddle it when you are old. I was more of a liability for my team but my friends would never drop me for that, so I continued with my flop show all through.

Today the game has become a sort of priority for me and I play whenever I am being included in the team.  I play it more so in the interest of physical exercise. Of late, I have come to realize that playing game for the good of health is one thing and winning, quite another.

Lastly, over a period of time, I have become a multi talented soccer player (please don't laugh). I play both defensive and offensive in any position. I also play as right and left wing. Playing in the position of strike force is what I like but most of the team I play with say I am little too immature to play in the position.