Cricket Bhutan (BC) are investing heavily in to Women’s cricket with an eye on International success in the coming years, with the announcement of professional player contracts and other incentives to prepare the national squad for upcoming ICC and ACC tournaments.
The cricket board has announced a High-Performance Program (HPP) for Women’s national squad, that started from 11th of February 2021 in Gelephu, Sarpang. 14 players will be under BC contract for the next 10 months, leading up-to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia qualifier to be held in Malaysia from 13th – 24th November 2021. The A grade players will receive a monthly Stipend of Nu. 15,000/- ($206), while players categorized under B grade will receive Nu. 10,000/- ($137), C grade will receive Nu. 5000/- ($69) and D grade will receive Nu. 3000/- ($41). The Match fees will be included in the contract agreement apart from their daily allowance. In the International matches, Players in the Playing XI will receive a match fee Nu. 1500/- ($21), while any substituted player due to concussion or covid will receive Nu. 500/- ($7).
Eight players have signed up with the contracts so far, and will totally dedicate themselves to the next 10 months camp in Gelephu. Six more players will be selected from Sarpang to complate the training camp squad of 14 members.
Bhutan Cricket will be providing food, accommodation, training attires, each set of cricket equipment worth Nu. 30,000/- ($413), cricket shoes, in-country travel allowance and others during the team’s travel for tournaments overseas. Bhutan Cricket are planning to tour Indian states of Sikkim, Assam and West Bengal to organize practice matches for the national squad (depending upon the covid-19 pandemic situation in terms of travel) before the qualifiers.
High-Performance Program (HPP) will be overseen by the National coach, Assistant Coach, Fitness Trainer, and Physio. The program comprises of four training phases – General-preparatory, Specific-preparatory, Pre-competition and Competition. Each phase involves two months of activities, while the last two months will involve stimulation exercise.
The program is approved by Bhutan Olympic Council (BOC), Sarpang Dzongkhag Administration, Sarpang Sports Association and Sarpang Covid Task Force.
