Delegation from Asian Athletics, led by Senior Vice President Gen. Surapong Ariyamongkol, Secretary General Mr. A. Shuggumarran, and Competition Director Mr. C.K. Valson, completed a significant three-day site visit to Bhutan.
During the visit, the delegation engaged in productive discussions with the Executive Board of the Bhutan Athletics Federation. The conversations addressed the challenges faced by local athletes in participating at the Asian level and explored strategies to enhance their competitive opportunities.
A highlight of the visit was an audience with the Bhutan Olympic Committee, graced by HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck. HRH Prince Jigyel assured his full support in fostering athletics at the grassroots level across Bhutan. A key topic of discussion was the potential inclusion of kids’ athletics in the national education curriculum, aimed at nurturing young talent from an early age.
The delegation also visited the High Altitude Training Centre, where they recognized Bhutan’s exceptional natural climatic conditions and altitude, ideal for middle and long-distance training. Bhutan expressed its willingness to host athletes from across the region and Asia, leveraging its unique environment to support their development.
This visit marks the first official engagement by Asian Athletics in Bhutan, setting the stage for future collaborations and initiatives to advance athletics in the country.
