In the serene valleys of Bhutan, where prayer flags flutter against the mountains and the hum of chants fills the air, a new kind of rhythm has taken root, one that echoes not from the temple bells but from the crack of a cricket bat.
Cricket4All, a pioneering initiative by Bhutan Cricket in collaboration with UNICEF and the Central Monastic Body, is redefining sport for the country’s monastic communities. Here, young monks and nuns are discovering that cricket is more than just a game—it is a practice of focus, patience, teamwork, and mindfulness, seamlessly blending the traditions of Bhutanese monastic life with the universal spirit of sport.
Launched in 2025 with support from UNICEF Bhutan, the program has already reached four monastic schools: Dechenphodrang Lobdra in Thimphu (293 monks), Phochu Dumra Lobdra in Punakha (278 monks), Thubtencholing Buddhist Center School in Trongsa (60 monks), Samkhar Lhendru Choeling Monastery in Trashigang (68 monks), and the Tenchenchoeling Gatshel Buddhist College for Nuns (75 nuns). In total, 774 young monks and nuns aged 15 to 24 have been introduced to the game, with plans to expand to 30 schools in 2026.
The program unfolds in two thoughtfully designed phases. The first phase began with five days of intensive cricket training at each school. Coaches from Bhutan Cricket guided participants through the basics—batting, bowling, fielding—while emphasizing teamwork and strategy. The week culminated in match simulations that sparked laughter, friendly rivalry, and a newfound sense of confidence. Each school was then equipped with cricket gear, and two students were appointed captains to organize regular practice sessions, ensuring the lessons extended far beyond the initial training.
“The first time I held a cricket bat, I felt nervous,” recalls a young monk from Dechenphodrang Lobdra. “But by the end of the week, I realized it’s not just about winning—it’s about concentration, patience, and working together. It’s like meditation in motion.”
Phase two brought this vision to life with the Monks and Nuns Inaugural T10 Cricket Championship, held on January 6–7, 2026, at Thimphu’s Jigmethang Cricket Ground. Eighty participants, 56 monks and 24 nuns, competed with enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and a quiet intensity that mirrored their monastic training. Cheers echoed across the field, mingling with the chants from nearby monasteries. In the end, Dechenphodrang Lobdra triumphed in the monks’ category, while Tenchenchoeling Gatshel B claimed victory among the nuns, leaving behind memories, friendships, and a shared love for the game.
For Bhutan Cricket and its partners, the goal is bigger than championships. Cricket4All seeks to create a space where young monks and nuns can develop physically, emotionally, and socially, all while remaining rooted in mindfulness and compassion. By accommodating diverse skill levels and fostering inclusivity, the program exemplifies how tradition and modern sport can intersect harmoniously.
As the program looks toward 2026 and the prospect of reaching 30 monastic schools, Cricket4All stands as a shining example of innovation rooted in culture. Here, in the quiet corners of monasteries and amidst the echo of cricket balls on the field, a new chapter of Bhutanese monastic life is unfolding—one where the discipline of sport and the serenity of mindfulness move together, hand in hand.
© 2026 Created with Victor Gurung
