A new sporting opportunity is taking shape in Bhutanese schools as the Ministry of Education and Skills Development introduces pickleball under the theme “Empowering Youth, Building Future Through Sports.”
Introduced in collaboration with Metazone Sports from Singapore, the initiative aims to provide students with a fun, inclusive, and engaging sporting experience while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles. It is currently being piloted in selected schools in Thimphu, Paro, and Sarpang, with plans to expand to schools across the country.
As part of the initiative, 49 school sports instructors covering all Dzongkhags/Thromdes were trained by Metazone Sports at a training camp organised at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), equipping them with the knowledge and skills to introduce and support pickleball in schools.
Pickleball, a paddle sport, can help students develop hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, movement, timing, and paddle control. These foundational skills are also transferable to other racket sports, including tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
As part of the collaboration, a team from Metazone Sports, led by its Founder, Mr. Jevan Tan, met with the Secretary today to discuss opportunities to further strengthen the partnership and promote sports and youth development.
During the meeting, the team also shared a digital version of the traditional Bhutanese game ‘Taag Dang Noor’, designed to bring our cultural heritage closer to young people through an engaging digital experience. The game complements the introduction of pickleball by combining physical activity with opportunities to develop patience, strategic thinking, decision-making, observation, timing, and composure under pressure.
By bringing a traditional Bhutanese game into the digital space, the initiative offers students an enjoyable way to learn, think strategically, and connect with their cultural heritage.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development would like to thank Mr. Jevan Tan and the Metazone Sports team for their support, partnership, and commitment to creating new opportunities for our young people through sports and innovation.
