Pro Basketball
In Bhutan, a Bid to Turn Basketball From a Royal Sport to a National One
New York TimesBy GARDINER HARRISPublished: October 14, 2013
Summary:
Basketball has been a royal sport in Bhutan for a long time now, meaning that only royals play it. But currently there has been a change in their 'basketball status'. Bhutan is trying to take their basketball to a national level by hiring a South Korean coach to put together a team that will hopefully be able to compete nationally. The main reason why basketball has never been so popular with the Bhutanese is because of the problem with their height. In order to form a good basketball team, the coach will focus on improving on other points and skills that make a good basketball player.
Basketball has been a royal sport in Bhutan for a long time now, meaning that only royals play it. But currently there has been a change in their 'basketball status'. Bhutan is trying to take their basketball to a national level by hiring a South Korean coach to put together a team that will hopefully be able to compete nationally. The main reason why basketball has never been so popular with the Bhutanese is because of the problem with their height. In order to form a good basketball team, the coach will focus on improving on other points and skills that make a good basketball player.
My thoughts:
I think that it's important for Bhutan to prove that height isn't the most important thing in basketball and to follow their dreams of competing nationally. This will prove to other countries with similar problems that size can't stop any basketball team from giving up on their team dream. This will also bring their overall status up and expand their sports ability and make a new sport more common adding a bit of new culture to Bhutan.
I think that it's important for Bhutan to prove that height isn't the most important thing in basketball and to follow their dreams of competing nationally. This will prove to other countries with similar problems that size can't stop any basketball team from giving up on their team dream. This will also bring their overall status up and expand their sports ability and make a new sport more common adding a bit of new culture to Bhutan.
Tying into culture:
Bhutan's cultural sport is not basketball, and it is only played by royals. Currently,
this is being changed. Bhutan wants to take their basketball team to a national level. This will be a
major change in their culture. Bhutanese culture is merging with American culture creating either a problem or boost in status for Bhutan.
Bhutan's cultural sport is not basketball, and it is only played by royals. Currently,
this is being changed. Bhutan wants to take their basketball team to a national level. This will be a
major change in their culture. Bhutanese culture is merging with American culture creating either a problem or boost in status for Bhutan.