Changlimithang Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Thimphu , Bhutan , which serves as the national stadium of Bhutan. It is predominantly used for football matches and is the home of the Bhutan national football team , other national selections and a number of Thimphu-based football clubs. The stadium also regularly plays host to women's football , archery tournaments, minifootball and some volleyball matches. The stadium was initially constructed in 1974 for the coronation of the fourth King of Bhutan , Jigme Singye Wangchuck , but was completely refurbished in 2007 in advance of the coronation of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck . Floodlights were added to the football pitch in 2009 and an evergreen turf laid in 2012, to coincide with the start of the first season of the National League. Located 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) above sea level , the stadium is one of the highest in the world . It has raised numerous controversies in footballing circles, as its significant altitude affects the absorption of oxygen in the human body , offering considerable advantage to the home teams who are more accustomed to such conditions.
40-545: Lingkana Palace is the residence of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan . The palace grounds are adjacent to the Tashichho Dzong in the capital city of Thimphu . It was here that the Queen consort Jetsun Pema gave birth to a son on 5 February 2016, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck . On 19 March 2020, Queen Jetsun Pema gave birth to her second son, Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck , also in this palace. On 9 September 2023,
80-534: A cost of Nu 2,000,000. These renovations took two years and cost a total of Nu 230,000,000. The newly refurbished stadium was opened by Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck . Further enhancements were made to the football pitch in 2011, when floodlighting was added. There had been a desire to include floodlighting at the stadium since 2006, but this had not been achieved due to the high cost of installation. A trip to Bhutan by Tata Group owner Ratan Tata led to an agreement between Tata Power , Druk Green and
120-660: A new treaty of friendship with India in February 2007, replacing the treaty of 1949. Many government initiatives were undertaken by the new king with a view to strengthen the system in preparation for democratic changes in 2008. The Constitution of Bhutan was adopted on 18 July 2008 after legislation dictated that the National Council and the National Assembly was to be elected democratically. The king's first landmark project after his formal coronation
160-438: A stand consisting of 21 rows of seating. This stand would provide substantial seating not just around the area of the football pitch, but also down alongside the archery range. In order to complete this construction, the squash and basketball courts were demolished, although the increased size of the stand allowed for the creation of areas for table tennis and shooting as well as facilities for bathing and changing underneath
200-594: A year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan . Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was born on 21 February 1980 at Kathmandu (maternity Hospital). He is the eldest son of the fourth Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck , and his third wife, Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon . He has a younger sister, Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzom , and brother, Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji , as well as four half-sisters and three half-brothers. After completing his higher secondary studies at Yangchenphug High School , Khesar
240-636: A year-long training, with 4 months of military training. The Constitution of Bhutan empowers the king to grant amnesty to prisoners. In 2014 he pardoned 45 prisoners who had been imprisoned for possessing an excessive amount of tobacco, following an amendment of the Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan 2010 by the Parliament of Bhutan , since the amended law could not be enforced retroactively, and previous offenders who would not be liable now would still be tried under previous laws. The Royal Pardon
280-421: Is to collect such applications as well as identify people who need help; and by appealing to the king directly. To give the people the opportunity for direct appeal, the king on his numerous road trips across the country stops for every potential appellant along the road. There are several Kidu schemes designed to help certain groups of people, such as students unable to afford even the free education available in
320-648: The Royal Bhutan Police 's ground. The playing surface was manufactured in the Netherlands and was laid by companies from England and the Netherlands, as the first part of a two-stage series of works to install artificial turf at both Changlimithang and Changjiji football ground, also in Thimphu. The first match to be played on the new pitch was the opening match in the inaugural edition of
360-575: The Bhutan National League between Druk Pol and Ugyen Academy . The President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuk , having officially opened the new playing surface, then took part in the first match as a player for Druk Pol. The total cost of the new pitch was estimated to $ 900,000. Unusually for a national stadium, and as a result of the conversion of the playing surface to artificial turf,
400-523: The Bhutan Olympic Committee to install floodlighting, with Tata bearing the cost of installation as an act of corporate social responsibility. The total cost of installing the floodlighting was Rs 13,230,000. Further refurbishment was announced in June 2016. The first improvements included installation of plastic seats on the concrete galleries, installation of additional restroom facilities, and expansion of player facilities, such as locker rooms . It
440-928: The Crown Prince was awarded the Red Scarf by his father. On 31 October 2004, Khesar was installed as the 16th Trongsa Penlop in Trongsa Dzong . The institution of the Trongsa Penlop, started by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1647, signifies the true heritage to the Bhutanese Throne and the investiture ceremony of the Trongsa Penlop is the formal declaration of this status of the Crown Prince. In December 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced his intention to abdicate in his son's favour in 2008, and that he would begin handing over responsibility to him immediately. On 9 December 2006,
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#1732802410566480-672: The DeSuung Honour Code, which is to "keep service to their nation before their own safety and comfort". In December 2019, during the 112th National Day, the king announced the initiation of a one-year national service for all eighteen-year-olds, starting in 2024. The training includes four months of military-style training and a nine-month educational course on agriculture, entrepreneurship, computers, coding, and health sciences. The first batch will start training in September 2024 for four months, and from second batch it will be
520-518: The DeSuung Training Programme, DeSuung meaning "Guardians of Peace", in 2011, on the request of the youth. The programme aims to equip volunteers with the skill to provide assistance during emergencies, and has been hugely successful, with more than 3000 volunteers having completed their training and volunteering for public events and emergencies. Graduates of the program are known as DeSuups and wear orange jumpsuits. They live by
560-565: The Draft Constitution of Bhutan with the people and to encourage participation in the upcoming democratic exercises. He continues such visits, speaking mainly to young people on the need for Bhutanese to strive for higher standards in education , business , civil service , and the need for people of a small country to work harder than those of others. On 17 February 2021, he signed the abolishment of anti-homosexuality laws into law, effectively decriminalising same-sex activity in
600-572: The Federation made Nu 75,000 in the first fortnight that the pitch was available to the public, with the money gained from hire charges going towards financing additional artificial surfaces planned for elsewhere in the country. Demand for the chance to play on an artificial surface is now so great that the Bhutan Football Federation prepared to hire out the artificial pitch at Changjiji, once available only to train members of
640-515: The King and Queen Jetsun Pema made a state visit to Japan; they were the first state guests to Japan since the 2011 earthquake . It was reported that the Japanese were fascinated by the king and queen of Bhutan. In March 2015, the King and Queen were among the foreign dignitaries who attended the funeral of Singapore 's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew . Also, the King and Queen attended
680-401: The King announced that the Queen had delivered their third child and only daughter at this palace, Sonam Yangden Wangchuck . Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (born 21 February 1980) is King of Bhutan . His reign began in 2006 after his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne. A public coronation ceremony was held on 6 November 2008,
720-524: The Lingkana Palace. The baby's name, Sonam Yangden Wangchuck , was announced on 9 December 2023. The young king began his reign overseeing the democratisation of Bhutan by presiding over the last sessions of the parliament where electoral laws, land reform and other important issues were debated. He said that the responsibility of this generation of Bhutanese was to ensure the success of democracy. He traveled extensively to explain and discuss
760-604: The arrival of their son Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck , who was born in Lingkana Palace in Thimphu , on 5 February 2016. Their second son was born in Lingkana Palace in Thimphu on 19 March 2020. On 30 June 2020, the Royal Family announced that the second Gyalsey had been named Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck . On 9 September 2023, the King announced that the Queen had given birth to their third child and only daughter at
800-662: The centenary of the establishment of the House of Wangchuck and the reunification of the country. Redevelopment plans were drawn up by the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement in conjunction with the National Steering Committee for the Coronation Celebrations. The old stand which consisted of 6 rows of seating with a capacity of around 10,000 was completely demolished to be replaced with
840-441: The country, elderly citizens, and those requiring medical treatment. The king has also continued the tradition of giving state land to landless farmers around the country. The ongoing project takes him to remote villages and communities. Kidu includes providing immediate assistance to victims of natural disasters. The king personally supervised the rebuilding efforts following major earthquakes and floods in 2009 and 2011. In 2012,
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#1732802410566880-426: The football field at Changlimithang is available for public hire and is extremely popular with people in Thimphu, with the pitch booked for public use from 5 pm - 1am most days during the week as office workers seek to make use of it and from 7 am to 9 pm at weekends. This has proved to be a valuable source of income for the Bhutan Football Federation. With teams needing to make bookings weeks in advance,
920-480: The former king issued a Royal Edict announcing his abdication, and transferred the throne to Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who was officially crowned on 6 November 2008, in Punakha . Religious ceremonies and public celebrations were also held at Tashichho Dzong and Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu . The coronation ceremony comprised an ancient and colourful ritual, attended by few selected foreign friends of
960-528: The funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in October 2017 and the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan in October 2019. The King and Queen were also present at the 2023 coronation of King Charles III . King Jigme has been conferred the following honorary degrees: Changlimithang Stadium Changlimithang is built on the site of a decisive battle in Bhutan's history, fought in 1885, which established
1000-664: The king granted Nu. 100 million from the Armed Forces to the Zhung Dratshang for the Dzong Reconstruction Fund, as on 24 June, the historic Wangduephodrang Dzong was destroyed by fire. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, he commanded the armed forces and De-Suups to the site immediately, and with help from dzongkhag officials and citizens, many things were saved from the fire. The king initiated military-style training for volunteers known as
1040-608: The kingdom to meet and speak to the people. He also officially represented Bhutan on several international events. On 8 May 2002, he represented Bhutan at the 27th UN General Assembly and made his first speech to the United Nations , addressing issues related to the welfare of millions of children around the world. He attended Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej 's 60th Anniversary Celebrations on 12–13 June 2006 in Bangkok along with royals from 25 countries. On 25 June 2002
1080-516: The kingdom, after the repeal of such laws had been approved by both houses in 2020. Tashi Tsheten, of the LGBT organisation Queer Voices of Bhutan , welcomed the king's decision as a milestone and expressed gratitude to the king and every politician involved in making the decriminalisation possible. Additionally, Tea Braun of the organisation Human Dignity Trust said that Bhutan had made a "step forward" by legalising homosexual activity. The king signed
1120-613: The mid-1990s. Financial support from FIFA enabled the project to go ahead and work started at the ground in March 2012 with the artificial turf being laid in November and finished in December the same year. As part of a two-day visit to Bhutan in March 2012, FIFA president Sepp Blatter performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the new pitch, promising that FIFA would support Bhutanese football. However, there were delays in completing
1160-566: The pipeline in other parts of Bhutan. One of the most important and ongoing works of the king involves Kidu, a tradition based on the rule of a Dharma king whose sacred duty is to care for his people. The people can access Kidu in several ways: by applying to the Office of the Royal Chamberlain, which accepts applications during working hours; by sending applications through Dzongkhag Kidu Officers in every district, whose responsibility
1200-488: The role of national stadium and being the home to the Bhutan national football team and national archery competitions, the stadium also provided facilities for squash , billiard and tennis , in addition to being the headquarters of Bhutan Olympic Committee . The stadium was completely refurbished and reopened in 2008 for the dual celebration of the coronation of the fifth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and
1240-582: The royal family and dignitaries, including the then- President of India , Pratibha Patil . To welcome Khesar as king of Bhutan, people painted street signs, hung festive banners and decorated traffic circles with fresh flowers. He received white, yellow, red, green, and blue silk scarves. As he opened the session of parliament on Friday, 20 May 2011, the king announced his engagement to Jetsun Pema , born in Thimphu on 4 June 1990. They were married on 13 October 2011 in Punakha Dzong . The wedding
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1280-458: The seating area. In addition to changes to the sporting venues within the facility, the Olympic association were provided with new offices, the royal pavilion was expanded to increase guest capacity and the banqueting hall was renovated. Two new parks were also created on the land surrounding the facility: one between the car park and the river and another nearer the archery range were laid out at
1320-493: The stadium was unable to hold all of the people who wished to attend the occasion. Following the wedding, more improvements were made to the football pitch, with the grass field being replaced with an artificial surface to improve the performance of the players and add additional durability to the facility as a whole. Historically, it had been very difficult to maintain the ground to an acceptable standard, with an uneven, rain-soaked pitch leading to mocking calls from spectators in
1360-477: The supremacy of Ugyen Wangchuck , his coronation as the first Druk Gyalpo and led to the unification of Bhutan following a series of civil wars and rebellions between 1882 and 1885. Construction for the original stadium was completed in 1974 in time for the coronation of the fourth Druk Gyaplo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and at that time the whole park covered an area of approximately 11 hectares, with seating capacity of about 10,000 spectators. As well as taking on
1400-408: The upgrade as cold weather at the beginning of the project prevented workers from starting construction and the monsoon weather in the summer hampered the ability of suppliers to deliver materials such as cement to the site. The delays were such that they nearly resulted in a postponement to the start of the national league, with the Bhutan Football Federation considering moving the initial matches to
1440-745: Was Bhutan's largest media event ever. The ceremony, held in traditional style with the "Blessings of the Guardian Deities", was held in Punakha, followed by a royal tour of the country. During the ceremony, the king also received the Phoenix Crown of the Druk Gyaltsuen (Dragon Queen) from the most sacred Machhen Temple of the Dzong, and crowned Jetsun Pema, then formally proclaiming her as queen consort. The King and Queen announced
1480-461: Was announced that plastic seats would be installed in other sections of the stadium pending budget. The Nu 35 million costs were provided by the government of India . As well as continuing to hold sporting events, the facility has been utilised for wider public occasions including the Wedding of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema . Despite the increase in capacity a few years earlier,
1520-732: Was educated in the United States at Phillips Academy in Andover and at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham , where he finished high school. He then studied at Wheaton College in Massachusetts before completing the Diplomatic Studies Programme at Magdalen College, Oxford . The Crown Prince, popularly known to the people of Bhutan as 'Dasho Khesar', accompanied his father on his many tours throughout
1560-607: Was granted to those who were not repeat offenders and had good prison records. The "People's king", like his father, enjoys warm relations with India. He has visited India on several occasions, and was invited as the Chief Guest for India's 64th Republic Day celebrations in 2013. Following his 2006 visit to Thailand as crown prince, the king has been popular in Thailand. The number of Thai tourists visiting Bhutan increased from 100 in 2006 to 700 in 2007. In November 2011,
1600-909: Was launching the National Cadastral Resurvey in March 2009, aimed at resolving long-standing issues of excess land that affect every Bhutanese household. A variation of land reform focuses on improving the lives of people living in remote and difficult areas, with the Rehabilitation Project. The pilot Rehabilitation Project at Khinadang in Pemagatshel was initiated in June 2011, and inaugurated by Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck on 28 October 2014. The Project resettled people living in less accessible areas to villages, and provided them with basic amenities and services, as well as support in agriculture. The project saw tremendous success, and similar projects are in
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