The Bhutanese Leading the way.
As Bhutan prepares to celebrate the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the nation reflects not only on the extraordinary leadership that shaped modern Bhutan, but also on the lesser-known story of a King whose athletic spirit and love for basketball changed the way young Bhutanese viewed sports and discipline.
His Majesty, lovingly known as K4, has always been admired for his energy, humility, and athletic grace. From trekking across rugged terrains to joining students and soldiers in games of football, archery, and basketball, His Majesty embodied strength, teamwork, and focus. Among all the sports he played, basketball stood out as one that mirrored his sharpness and speed. It was through his influence that basketball found a home in Bhutanese hearts, eventually becoming one of the most loved sports in the country.
The story of basketball in Bhutan began in the 1960s when Dasho Paljor Jigme Dorji, popularly known as Dasho Benji, returned from his studies in Darjeeling. Having learned basketball from Canadian Jesuit teachers, Dasho Benji introduced the game to the royal family and taught the young Prince Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The young prince took to the game instantly, learning its rules, rhythm, and discipline with remarkable ease. What began as a lesson soon became a lifelong passion.
When His Majesty ascended the Golden Throne in 1972 at the age of sixteen, he carried his love for sports into his leadership. He believed that physical strength and mental resilience went hand in hand with national development. During the 1970s and 1980s, schools and institutions began constructing basketball courts, inspired by His Majesty’s example. He was often seen joining games with students, soldiers, and civil servants, playing not to impress, but to encourage. His Majesty’s sharp passes, quick dribbles, and precise shooting inspired awe and admiration. Those who played alongside him recall that he was a true team player, leading by example and teaching that sports were about unity, humility, and collective effort.
His Majesty’s deep belief in the role of sports led to the establishment of the Bhutan Olympic Committee in 1983, with himself as its founding President. That same year, Bhutan took its first steps into international sporting events, including participation in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, a milestone that reflected his vision of harmonizing traditional Bhutanese values with modern global experiences.
His Majesty’s legacy in sports continues to live on. Today, basketball echoes through every schoolyard and community court across the nation. Youth tournaments, national leagues, and events like the King’s Cup Basketball Championship are tributes to His Majesty’s lasting influence. For Bhutanese youth, basketball is more than a sport, it is a reminder of His Majesty’s belief in the strength and potential of young people.
Today’s generation, who play the game with pride, often express deep gratitude to His Majesty for introducing a sport that not only builds physical fitness but also teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience. “We are thankful to His Majesty for giving us basketball, a game that brings us together and reminds us that teamwork and respect are the heart of success,” says Rigden, a young player from Thimphu. Similarly, Kinley Dorji, a college student from Phuentsholing, said, “Basketball taught me discipline and focus. I often think that if His Majesty could lead a nation with such energy, we can at least lead ourselves with the same spirit on the court. Many youths share similar sentiments, seeing basketball as a bridge between generations, a living connection to the King who first dribbled a ball on Bhutanese soil.
As the nation celebrates His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s 70th Birth Anniversary, it is not just his political wisdom or environmental foresight that people remember, but also the joy he brought through sports. He remains, in the hearts of the Bhutanese people, the Monarch who inspired both body and spirit, the King who turned a simple game into a lasting symbol of unity, youth, and the enduring Bhutanese spirit.
