Despite being called Balls for Bhutan, we have helped other countries that do not have the funds to develop football. Because of the links with the film 'The Other Final', Balls for Bhutan sent out some kit and training tops to the Montserrat Football Association in the Carribean (kindly donated by Southampton FC). We have also sent out kit to the Palestine national youth team (check out the pictures below of the kit in use). Having to endure terrible and dangerous conditions to play the game they love the Palestine FA (starved of funds) and their players are a tribute to the beautiful game, and offer a positive image of this troubled country....................................
If you'd like to learn more about Bhutan cut and past these web addresses:www.kuenselonline.com - the national online newspaperwww.bootan.com - a website about all things Bhutan - you want to hear the national anthem? want to find out the currency exchange between ngultrum and british pound? this is your site..............Vital Statistics of Bhutan Called the "Switzerland of Asia" by many, Bhutan is unique among Asian countries. POPULATION: 600,000+ AREA 47,000 square kilometres (about the same size as Switzerland) CAPITAL: Thimphu PEOPLES:DRUKPAS: 67% Two groups. Those related to the Tibetans speak Dzongkha. The other major language is Tsangla or Sharchop in the east with 11 different dialects. Tsangla, Layaps and Brokpa are indigenous languages to Bhutan.NEPALI: 20% Formerly the second largest peoples group after the Tsangla. They inhabited the southern region mostly. Now due to disagreements over government policies many have moved back to Nepal, their country of origin.OTHERS: 13% Indians, Tibetans, Sikkimese, Sherpas, etc. ECONOMY: Agricultural Base, with development potential for international business. POLITICS: Constitutional monarchy. Isolated from the outside world until trade and cultural links to Tibet were severed after the Chinese Communist invasion of Tibet. India has agreed to guide Bhutan in its foreign affairs due to the border dispute between China and India. RELIGION: Unity of the people and independence of the country is under state control of the Monastic Body of the Kargyukpa Buddhist sect .BUDDHISM: 69% HINDU: 20% MUSLIM: 2% CHRISTIAN: 9%Nestled high in the Himalayan mountains, this small monarchy represents one of the world's most remote and least visited lands. Closed to the outside world until 1974, Bhutan was accessible only by narrow mountain trails and that only by special invitation of the government. Bhutan is tied, both historically and culturally, to neighboring Tibet.Today a modern road connects the capital city Thimphu with Phuentsholing, Bhutan's border town on the Indian plains. The national carrier, Druk Air, is the only air line allowed into the country and requires its pilots to undergo specialized mountain flight training............Balls for Bhutan would love to meet a free and autonomous Tibet.............We have a close affinity to Tibet, its football team, and the country's struggles. Check out our heroes section for more information. .........We hope that in the months and years to come Balls for Bhutan will be able to continue to expand, and that we may be able to start helping footballers in the exiled Tibetan communities in India and Nepal, as well as return to Palestine, Monsterrat, and other places in the world that could use a little more equipment.
'The Other Final' - a film about the two worst national teams in the world: Bhutan & Montserrat. Its a really heartwarming and moving film, you can check out the trailer or buy the DVD on www.theotherfinal.com 'The Cup', by Khyentse Norbu - a beautiful tale of Buddhist monks in love with football, trying to find a way to watch the world cup............
Hopefully Balls for Bhutan's fundraising attempts will be taking new and interesting turns. I'll be travelling to North Cyprus on 18th Nov to check out The Elf Cup - a football tournament featuring states that aren't recognised by the UN and FIFA (Tibet, North Cyprus, Zanzibar, Greenland, Crimea), as well as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Kryzygstan.As well as hoping to bring back some memorabilia for auction, i hope to take lots of footage and notes with the view to making a short film and writing a few articles about the tournament - any proceeds from these will go to Balls for Bhutan, as well as some of the states involved.Fingers crossed i take the lense cap off!!!!.......................
The Tibetan people are our heroes - near neighbours to Bhutan, and buddhist brothers and sisters, their humility and grace in the face of all they have suffered is an inspiration to all.Tibet has now been occupied for well over half a century by the Chinese Government, and despite systematic attempts to eradicate Buddhism and Tibetan culture, both continue to thrive in the face of extreme adversity. Within Tibet, and in regions housing Tibetan exiles (India, Bhutan etc..) this truly inspiring culture provides a refreshing change from western excess.To help highlight the plight of its people, a Tibetan national football team (comprising Tibetan exiles) was formed in 2001 to play the country's first ever international football match. Played in Denmark against Greenland, the match did much to maintain the campaign of public awareness aimed at bringing the Tibetan situation to a larger audience..........Now in 2006 the Tibetan national team will be embarking on another footballing odyssey, this time in North Cyprus, taking part in an 'alternative world cup' for nations and regions that aren't recognised by the UN and FIFA. Check out the blog 'Tibet & Elf Cup pics' for more information on this, or visit Tibetan Football Association website for more information on the team and their aims.Good luck Tibet!!