DAWA ZANGMO | Thimphu
The Bhutan International Ludo Championship concluded on 18 September 19, 2026 in Thimphu. Organised by the Bhutan Esports Association (BeSA), the championship brought together Ludo players from Bhutan and abroad, with participants competing through a knockout format.
Bijay Kumar Monger from Tsholingkhar, Tsirang, emerging as the inaugural champion and taking home a cash prize of Nu 300,000. Norbu Zangmo from Samdrup Jongkhar finished second and received Nu 100,000, while Kezang Choden secured third place.
Players had to progress through seven to eight stages of knockout matches to reach the final. The tournament was held as part of BeSA’s efforts to bring Ludo into organized competitive esports setting and provide a platform for both local and international players.
BeSA General Secretary Sherab Lhamo said the championship was organised under the association’s broader mission of “Gamers to Creators”, which seeks to encourage young Bhutanese to develop skills beyond consuming international games and explore opportunities in local game development.
“The main objective is to empower young Bhutanese not only to play international games but also to develop the skills and inspiration needed to build a domestic gaming industry,” she said.
According to BeSA, Ludo was selected as the starting point because of its accessibility and familiarity among people across South Asia. The association said the tournament was intended to demonstrate the potential of locally developed digital games while preparing the ground for the launch of a “made in Bhutan” Ludo application for iOS and Android platforms.
Sherab Lhamo said the championship would contribute to the development of the local esports sector in several ways, including by making organised digital competition more accessible to a wider group of people.
She said traditional esports competitions could sometimes be perceived as being targeted towards dedicated gamers, while Ludo could attract families, young people and casual players because of its familiarity and ease of access.
The tournament also provided an opportunity to develop the digital and financial infrastructure required to organise larger esports events, she said.
“Organising an annual cross-border digital tournament requires reliable technological and financial systems. Partnerships with institutions such as our official banking partner, DK Bank, can help establish the ecosystem needed to sustain professional esports events,” she said.
The championship also featured international participation, with players from neighbouring India and other countries, including South Korea and Thailand, taking part in the tournament.
According to BeSA, the cross-border nature of the tournament is intended to provide Bhutanese players with exposure to international competition while increasing visibility for Bhutan’s emerging digital gaming sector.
Sherab Lhamo said the response from participants and the public had been encouraging, particularly because the tournament brought a familiar game into an organised competitive environment.
She said participants had responded positively to the international element of the competition.
“The public has also shown support for the broader vision of developing homegrown digital projects. The response has demonstrated interest in inclusive and community-based esports events in Bhutan,” she said.
For the inaugural champion, the victory was both a personal achievement and a source of motivation to continue competing.
Bijay Kumar Monger said he was happy and proud to become the first winner of the Bhutan International Ludo Championship. Competing against skilled players and winning the title made the achievement particularly memorable for him.
“I am very happy and proud to become the first-ever Ludo Championship winner. It is a memorable achievement for me, especially after competing against many skilled players,” he said.
He said the victory had increased his confidence and motivated him to take part in similar competitions in the future.
He attributed his performance during the tournament to maintaining focus and making careful decisions throughout the matches. He said remaining calm and patient were important, while luck also played a role.
“During the tournament, I focused on each match and tried to make careful decisions. Staying calm and patient helped me, along with a little bit of luck,” he said.
Runner-up Norbu Zangmo, who travelled from Phuntsholing to participate in the championship, said securing second place in the inaugural tournament was a memorable achievement.
“I feel very happy and grateful to have secured second place in the first-ever Ludo Championship. I am proud to have been part of this historic tournament and to have competed against so many talented players,” she said.
Although she did not win the championship, Norbu Zangmo said finishing as runner-up was an achievement she would remember.
“Although I could not win the championship, finishing as runner-up is a memorable achievement for me,” she said.
The organizer said the championship forms part of its efforts to expand organised esports activities in Bhutan while encouraging greater participation in digital gaming.
The tournament would serve as a platform for the planned launch of its locally developed Ludo application, with the broader objective of encouraging Bhutanese gamers to move towards game creation and development.
