Not just about medals

Together they sat in the stands watching badminton matches in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Three officials and four student-athletes. One of them had just stepped off the court on Wednesday, 23 July, the second day of singles and doubles action at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

Two male and two female players are representing the Bhutan Sports Federation in badminton in Germany. Why is that so special?

In Bhutan, as in many other countries, around the world, “badminton is overshadowed by football. That’s where the money goes,” said Pema Tshewang. He is attending these FISU Games as a sports official. Back home, he also works as a coach, and this quickly becomes clear in the conversation: He is immensely proud to be here with his contingent of athletes and fellow officials.

Tshewang explains that it was only possible for all seven members of the delegation to attend the biennial multisport event thanks to FISU’s support: “FISU covers the costs for two athletes and one official. The rest is paid for by our federation.”

Short preparation time

The four Buthanese competitors were selected at the conclusion the country’s national Summer Games. Which means there was little time to prepare for the FISU Games. Just 15 days. During this short period, they trained together at a college. The rest of the year, they live spread out across the country.

“When they arrived in Germany and saw the arena for the first time, they asked me: ‘Are we really allowed to step on that court?,’” Tshewang recalls.

Richen Dorji, Armaan Pradhan, Pema Choden and Kinley Wangmo are not used to sport arenas of this size, so the excitement was notable. On Wednesday, Dorji played in the men’s singles round of 64 against Eogene Ewe of Malaysia.

“Ewe is ranked 87^th in the world,” said Dorji with a mix of pride and awe following a straight-set loss.

“There is a lot of difference between our country and here. I feel very small and insecure. I feel nervous, but I think I have a lot to learn,” explained the 21-year-old formal studies major from the Royal University of Bhutan. Still, he was happy with his performance. “This is my first international tournament. I gave my best. I feel satisfied. I am proud.”

Need to improve for the next generation

Bhutan’s student-athletes are far from full-time professional badminton players. Their daily lives are mainly focused on academics. That is why it is all the more encouraging that the national press has taken notice of their participation at Rhine-Ruhr 2025 and is reporting on it. This helps raise the sport’s profile back home and generates growing interest.

Coach Tshewang is therefore actively posting on social media. Beyond the question of visibility, he pointed out that the biggest need lies in improving sports facilities in Bhutan.

“Without money, we can’t make anything happen,” he said.

By participating in the FISU Games, the Buthanese athletes may not take home medals, but they carry something far greater: visibility, pride, and the hope for change. For their sport and their country.

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games take place from 16-27 July. Watch all the competitions live on fisu.tv. Click on the link to find the full schedule.

Written by Lara Zugck, EU U-Media Ambassador, Germany

The Young Reporters Programme exemplifies FISU’s commitment to more than sports competitions. At every FISU World University Games, a group of talented aspiring sports journalists are chosen to cover the competition.