Lhakpa Bhuti Lama, from Tsum Valley, in Gorkha district of Nepal, grew up with no prior exposure to football. She reflects on the lack of opportunities for girls, where they are often expected to focus solely on household chores and are not encouraged to play sports. Even when she began her journey in sports, Lhakpa faced gender discrimination. She recalls how, with no proper equipment available, she and her friends improvised by bundling socks together to create a ball, determined to pursue their passion for the game despite the challenges. She has also represented Tibet in a Vancouver International Soccer Festival, where her team secured an impressive 4th place finish out of 32 nations. Lhakpa’s love for sports started in grade 3, challenging stereotypes to prove that girls from the Himalayas could succeed in sports.
As a WE Coach graduate in 2021, Lhakpa now empowers the next generation of women athletes. Her journey, marked by a strong commitment to women’s empowerment and a deep understanding of the challenges young girls face in sports, positions her as a valuable mentor and role model.
The Beginning
Lhakpa’s sports journey began after she moved to Kathmandu at an early age for education. She noticed how few opportunities existed for girls in sports, with boys dominating the playground. In grade 8, a girls’ football team was formed at her school by Choel Sum United, a club from Tibet. She credits Manager Namgyal Jinpa (ChoApa), and Choel Sum United for helping her develop her skills and opening new possibilities.
Shortly after completing her schooling, Lhakpa was selected for the Tibet National Team. Although convincing her parents to allow her to train in Dehradun, India for three months was challenging, with the support of friends from her village and ChoApa acting as a guardian, Lhakpa overcame these barriers and went on to play internationally.
Paving the way for Women’s Football
In 2015, the first Losar Cup tournament was announced in Swayambhunath, Kathmandu, for the men’s football tournament. It was discouraging to see the lack of women’s competition. Determined to make a change, Lhakpa and her friends made repeated requests and eventually gained support from the Director of the Tibetan Women’s Soccer Team via social media. Their efforts resulted in the first-ever women’s tournament at the Losar Cup, showing that sports are not just for boys. For the first time, the village witnessed women playing football, leaving a lasting impact. Many young girls were inspired simply by watching them play.
By 2018, Lhakpa had taken on a leadership role as one of the main organizers of the Losar Cup tournament. Collaborating with three other girls and two boys, she applied the skills she learned from WE United to create a similar platform for girls in her village.
Becoming a Leader
After completing her coaching training from the WE Coach Nepal program in 2021, Lhakpa’s leadership journey as a coach started. The program helped her grow as a coach, improving her skills and confidence. Stepping out of her comfort zone, she learned to lead teams, share her story, and inspire others. A significant milestone in Lhakpa’s leadership journey was becoming a Lead Champion in the Equal Play Effect – Asia and Pacific program 2023, in which she represented The WE United Project and collaborated closely with participants from different countries to level the playing field. Another highlight of her journey was her trip to Indonesia alongside Arpana Pradhan, Executive Director of The WE United Project, which allowed her to experience international sports culture and gain valuable insights, enriching both her personal and professional life.
Coaching at the WE United Academy has helped her to communicate effectively with children, further refining her coaching abilities. Attending various workshops through the Equal Play Effect program, along with Coaches of five other organizations in the Asia Pacific has further enhanced her coaching and communication skills.
Looking Ahead
Lhakpa is currently in her final year of a Bachelor’s program in Sowa Rigpa Medicine and Surgery (Tibetan Medicine), a path that reflects her commitment to education and her passion for helping others. She chose this course after losing her mother at a young age due to the lack of health facilities in her village, and she is determined to prevent others in remote areas from facing similar hardships. Alongside her studies, Lhakpa coaches at the WE United Academy and recently reached a new milestone by earning her ANFA D coaching license, marking a significant step forward in her coaching journey.
Lhakpa is committed to returning to her village and giving back to her community. Both she and her brother are studying traditional medicine and plan to support her village in various ways. One of her priorities is to teach football and encourage more girls to participate, continuing her mission to empower young girls through football and leadership.
Lhakpa Bhuti Lama is one of the graduated coaches of the WE Coach Nepal program organized by WE United in 2021. Lhakpa is currently studying in her final year of Bachelors program in Tibetian Medicine, and working part-time as a Coach with WE United. She wants to support her village in Tsum Valley, prioritizing medicine and coaching and encouraging girls to participate in football, once she graduates from her studies.
