Despite rapid economic growth and significant development efforts, around one third of the country’s people, mostly belonging to rural areas, continue to live below the poverty line. Bhutan and its leaders can neither avoid the side effects of development: urbanization, youth unemployment, generation gap, increased secularity and differences in income and wealth, consciousness of class, gender, regional and cultural entities, and so on. The current development process in Bhutan challenges social relationships and introduces new paradigms and practices especially appealing to young people. Concerns of drugs abuse, HIV/AIDS and petty crime by children and adolescents especially in urban and semi urban regions in Bhutan are increasing.

Bhutan is a sports nation. Main sports institutions are the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), the National Sports Federations (NSF), The District Sports Associations (DSA) and the Department of Youth and Sports (DYS) under the education ministry.

Activities between Bhutan and the Netherlands in the field of sports exist since 2001; this support was mainly focussed on the development of archery and football. The cooperation came to an end in 2006 when the infrastructure at the implementing agency in Bhutan (DYS) came under reconstruction.

Archery is considered as the national sport. It’s history goes back deep into the middle ages. Archery is seen as part of the cultural and religious heritage of Bhutan and is embedded in a range of rituals.

Next to archery many other forms of sport are being conducted varying from football, taekwondo to golf and cricket. Bhutan counts 14 sports federations (NSF’s), involving more than 100.000 (amateur) sports practitioners.

Sports are being promoted as element in ‘wholesome education’. However, the present competitive school education system in Bhutan does not encourage students to spend much time outside the academic classes. Sports that require large grounds (football, archery, golf, cricket) have difficulties in finding those in the mountainous environment of Bhutan. Sports facilities are virtually absent or require renovation. Throughout the country there is a need for trainers/coaches/instructors.

The development and promotion of sports is yet to be recognized as an important development strategy that contributes to the attainment of the national development goal of Gross National Happiness. The common perception of sports in Bhutan is merely that of a hobby to be pursued when one has the time and not otherwise. The lack of sports infrastructure and inadequate technical manpower and sports equipment are some of the main constraining factors to the promotion and development of sports in the country. Nevertheless promising (mostly private) initiatives have come up in the area of sports as a means of social development.

Rural –urban migration of especially youth with low education coming from poor families is on a rise, most youth migrate to the capital Thimpu seeking various opportunities.

Arrival of opportunity seekers in hundreds and thousands leads to discouraging results because it is not possible to meet the expectations of each of them. Many fail to realize their dreams and aspirations, and finally fall victim to crime, alcohol and drug abuse. The urban youth issue is being taken seriously by a number of government and civil society agencies in Thimphu.

The core of the Sports Coalitions Program in Bhutan is to create opportunities for youngsters, girls and women in terms of inclusion, employment, emancipation and empowerment. This program aims to support young urban out of school youth in developing a meaningful life, increased self-esteem and job opportunities by means of sports and social activities.