Two Bhutanese kids in Russia World Cup
Rigzin Tenzin and Kinley Yangzom, the selected 12 year old ambassadors from Bhutan will be on their way to Russia on June 8th to participate in the 6th Gazprom Football for Friendship International Programme. They will be joined by kids from over 210 countries around the world, in Moscow.
Rigzin Tenzin, selected in the role of a forward will be a part of the 32 International Teams of Friendship that play against each other in the Gazprom Football for Friendship International Championship. The young footballer will be a part of the “King Cobra” team, and will undergo a 3 day training camp in Moscow, to get used to the playing conditions and get ample practice with his team, before the start of the championship. Each International Team of Friendship will be trained by 14-16 year old young coaches from different countries. The young footballers will also participate in workshops and sessions, conducted by renowned celebrities.
Rigzin, who hails from Gelephu, started playing football at the age of 8. He has participated in football tournaments across the country and has played a pivotal role in the success of the teams that he has been a part of. He currently plays for the Bhutan National Under 13 Football Team, and dreams to play for a professional football club in the future, like his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. A Real Madrid FC fan, this talented, young footballer believes it is important to promote friendship, equality and peace because he believes that we need each of these three things to brighten our world.
At the F4F Programme in Russia, Rigzin Tenzin will be accompanied by Kinley Yangzom, who will act as a young journalist and cover all the local and global activities of the program as part of the International Children’s Press Center. The Press Centre acts as hub for the young journalists who gather information, make reports, write news articles and prepare materials on the initiatives implemented as part of the Programme.
A student of Lobesa Lower Secondary School in Punakha District, Kinley is a football enthusiast. Football is the most popular sport in her village and she believes that the game helps to unite people from different regions and countries. An avid reader and writer, Kinley hopes to be a journalist in the future. A FC Barcelona fan, she considers Lionel Messi as her favorite player.
Rigzin Tenzin and Kinley Yangzom will also participate in the Sixth Football for Friendship International Children’s Forum in Russia, which will provide the youngsters an opportunity to meet their peers from other countries, share their experiences, and discuss with famous footballers and journalists on how to promote key values of the F4F Programme around the world. The International Children’s F4F Forum will be participated by famous sportsmen, journalists, and public figures who support the project and provide their thoughts and inspiration to the young athletes.
The young ambassadors will also participate in the Nine Values School programme, where they will be taught about the 9 key values of the F4F programme (friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour, under the guidance of young coaches and the supervision of famous players.