Off To Russia: 2 Young Ambassadors Gearing Up For Football For Friendship Event In Moscow

Young footballer Rigzin Tenzin and young journalist Kinley Deki Yangzom, both 12, will be on their way to Moscow this Friday.

Off To Russia: 2 Young Ambassadors Gearing Up For Football For Friendship Event In Moscow Rigzin Tenzin (left) and Kinley Deki Yangzom were selected to to attend a Football For Friendship event in Russia from June 8 to 15. (Source: Gazprom Football For Friendship)

 

By Kinley Yangden | Bhutan Times

 The two young students from Bhutan who were selected in June to attend a Football For Friendship (F4F) event in Russia, are now gearing up for the trip of their lifetime.

Young footballer Rigzin Tenzin and young journalist Kinley Deki Yangzom, both 12, will be on their way to Moscow this Friday (June 8), joining kids from over 210 countries around the world. The duo will be there for 10 days.

The F4F programme is supported by energy company Gazprom and FIFA, and aims at developing youth football, as well as promoting respect and open-mindedness of different cultures and nationalities.

Rigzin, who hails from Gelephu, will be part of the 32 International Teams of Friendship that play against each other in the Gazprom Football for Friendship International Championship. He will undergo a three-day training camp in Moscow and participate in workshops conducted by renowned personalities.

As for Kinley, she will be playing a role of a journalist during her time in Moscow, where she will cover local and global activities as part of the International Children’s Press Center.

The student at Lobesa Lower Secondary School in Punakha is a football enthusiast and believes that the sport helps to unite people from different regions and countries. The FC Barcelona fan considers Lionel Messi as her favorite player.

Looking forward to meeting parents from other countries

Rigzin and Kinley told Bhutan Times that they have been preparing for the trip with media activities and coaching activities in the field.

The two said they are most excited about the flight itself and also meeting the parents of other kids from the various countries.

For Rigzin, who started playing football when he was eight and has participated in tournaments across Bhutan, heading to a foreign land far away from his parents isn’t an unfamiliar experience. Here in Bhutan, he is currently situated at the football academy, where plays for Bhutan National Under 13 Football Team.

Kinley said she will be accompanied by her aunt, but expressed that she will miss her parents and school friends during her stay in Russia.

Brazil for the win

As part of the F4F programme, Rigzin and Kinley will get to attend the opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup 2018 on June 14.

While the two will be very much involved in plenty of football related activities leading up to the World Cup, they are definitely looking forward to the matches.

When asked who they think will win the World Cup this year, both agreed that Brazil will win the coveted title.

 



Related Posts

Paro FC becomes first in South Asia to earn AFC Two-Star youth...

Paro FC Football Academy has become the first club in South Asia to receive a Two-Star rating under the AFC Elite Youth...

Jul 09, 2026 10:06

Bhutan Football Steps onto a Bigger Stage with Hummel Partnership

Bhutan Football Federation signs a landmark MoU with Hummel, marking a major step forward for Bhutanese football through...

Apr 16, 2026 11:15

Bhutan International Marathon Saw Strong Participation from Local...

The 12th Bhutan International Marathon saw 575 runners from Bhutan and abroad compete across full and half marathon...

Mar 09, 2026 11:23

Phuntsho Dema's Journey from Countryside to World Champion

From running an hour to school in rural Mongar to winning gold at the Universal Yoga Sports Federation World Cup 2025,...

Feb 25, 2026 16:09

From Physical 100 to Bhutan: When Amotti and Sung Hoon Met His...

Amotti shares a warm, funny and deeply human moment from his visit to Bhutan with Choo Sung Hoon (Yoshihiro Akiyama).

Dec 13, 2025 11:15

Pema Norbu Makes History as Bhutan’s First ITF Masters Champion

Bhutanese tennis player Pema Norbu has made national history by winning the Men’s Singles Over-35 title at the ITF World...

Nov 20, 2025 12:21

Latest

News

Bhutan 2026 H1 Tourism Update: Strong Growth, New Air Links and Hotel Openings

Bhutan welcomed 149,141 visitors in H1 2026, up 48.14 percent year on year, as Drukair expanded regional services and new hotels opened in...

Jul 29, 2026 14:41

Bhutan to host inaugural Asia Visionary Summit in 2026

Bhutan will host the inaugural Asia Visionary Summit from 6 to 8 November 2026 under the patronage of His Majesty The King, bringing...

Jul 27, 2026 15:17

Features

Bhutan’s Mountain Man Takes on the World’s Toughest Trails

Bhutanese ultramarathon runner Jigme Tenzin completed the legendary 268km Snowman Trek in just five days and is now preparing for the UTMB...

Jul 28, 2026 10:05

A Chance Encounter Led Me Back to Bhutan, and Changed How I See the World

A personal journey of reconnecting with a childhood caregiver leads to an unforgettable experience exploring Bhutan's culture, people, and...

Jul 15, 2026 21:51

Business

Bhutan recognised first four Geographical Indication products

Bhutan has officially registered its first four Geographical Indication products, protecting traditional goods while creating new...

Jul 06, 2026 14:29

From Singapore to Thimphu: How Gikuna and Kizuna Built a Community Through Hospitality

A collaboration between Bhutan's Gikuna and Singapore's Kizuna has created new opportunities for hospitality training, cultural exchange,...

Jun 17, 2026 16:21

Sports

Paro FC becomes first in South Asia to earn AFC Two-Star youth academy recognition

Paro FC Football Academy has become the first club in South Asia to receive a Two-Star rating under the AFC Elite Youth Scheme, recognising...

Jul 09, 2026 10:06

Bhutan Football Steps onto a Bigger Stage with Hummel Partnership

Bhutan Football Federation signs a landmark MoU with Hummel, marking a major step forward for Bhutanese football through global partnership,...

Apr 16, 2026 11:15

Tourism

Rafting Through Bhutan's Largest River System: Exploring Panbang and Royal Manas

Explore Panbang, Bhutan's emerging ecotourism destination, through rafting adventures on the Drangme Chhu and Mangde Chhu, visits to Royal...

Jun 29, 2026 06:35

Bhutan Concluded First International Travel Mart, Announced 2027 Edition

Bhutan's inaugural Bhutan International Travel Mart 2026 attracted more than 200 international tourism buyers from 15 countries,...

Jun 15, 2026 16:00

Lifestyle

Traditional costumes of Bhutan and the evolution of kira

The Kingdom of Bhutan is unique for many reasons, but one peculiarity that sets them apart is their dress code.

May 27, 2026 11:25

Bhutan’s First Indoor Golf Bar: Inside The 19th Hole

Bhutan’s recreational scene has just gained an exciting new addition with the opening of The 19th Hole, the country’s first indoor golf...

Mar 16, 2026 11:16

GMC

GMC partners with Singapore's KKH to establish Bhutan's first IVF centre

Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority has partnered with Singapore's KK Women's and Children's Hospital to establish Bhutan's first IVF centre,...

Jul 24, 2026 11:49

Gelephu-Tareythang Road Project Reaches Key Planning Milestone

Bhutan's Gelephu-Tareythang Road Project is set to enter the tendering stage after the Detailed Project Report is completed this year. The...

Jul 23, 2026 11:32

Subscribe to our newsletter

Never miss out on new happenings and news stories!

newsletter

Download Daily Bhutan Mobile App

Connecting with us just got easier!

android app
apple app