Bhutanese U-14 tennis players lack experience
The Bhutanese team’s coach Yountay Gyeltshen said although all players were potentially good, they fizzled out in the course of the game. “They lack confidence when faced with an international opponent,” Yountay Gyeltshen said.
Tobgyal, a student of Changzamtog Middle Secondary School said that participants from other countries had a minimum of two years experience giving them the required confidence to face international opponents.
“We weren’t disheartened losing our matches since it was our first time competing in an international tournament,” Tobgyal said. “The little experience I gained from this tournament has boosted my confidence and I hope to put up a better show in future.”
His team mate, Kinley Dhendup from Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School was content for having been selected to compete in an international tennis tournament. “Now that I know where I stand, I’m going to practice harder and play better next time.”
A total of 59 players, 35 boys and 24 girls, from 10 south-east Asian countries took part in the under-14 tennis tournament.
Of the 35 boys’ team, Bhutanese were ranked 25th while the only Bhutanese girls team came in 19th out of 24 girls team.
It is an annual event being organized by the International Tennis Federation.
