November 25, 2025

The Basketball Federation of Bhutan, in partnership with the Bhutan Foundation, inaugurated the restored Thimphu Basketball Center today, reviving Bhutan’s first and most iconic indoor basketball facility. Built in 1976 and closely linked to the legacy of His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the court has long been a cornerstone of youth and sports development in the country.

The event was graced by Her Majesty Gyalyum Tseyring Pem Wangchuck, Co-Chair of the Bhutan Foundation, along with members of the Royal Family, dignitaries, and basketball enthusiasts.

Since the 1970s, when His Majesty the Fourth King helped popularize the sport nationwide, the court at the Swimming Pool Complex has hosted national tournaments, school competitions, community events, and informal games—serving as a space that brought people together through sport.

Led by Dasho Thinley Norbu, Chair of the Board, the restoration was carried out in honor of the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King. The project preserved the court’s historic significance while upgrading it with new flooring, improved lighting and ventilation, enhanced accessibility features, modernized restrooms, and professional-grade equipment.

The revitalized center will continue to serve Bhutanese youth, national athletes, women, individuals with special needs, and the wider community—supporting training, competitions, coaching programs, and community engagement.

The reopening marks a celebration of heritage and a renewed commitment to nurturing Bhutan’s sports culture and creating safe, meaningful spaces for young people to grow.