A short documentary film about the ICC Criiio Cricket Program in Merak & Sakteng, Trashigang Bhutan

Bhutan Cricket has taken an initiative to bring cricket to far eastern Bhutan, Merak & Sakteng. The ICC criiio cricket program in Merak and Sakteng was led by officials from the headquarters and coaches from other districts. The program was unique in that it takes 3 days by road from the capital city of Thimphu to reach the two schools. These two schools (Merak Primary School & Sakteng Lower Secondary School) are among the few remote schools in Bhutan where such programs are not conducted.
After the program, each participant received a plastic bat and ball sponsored by UNICEF Bhutan. A total of 484 students and 26 teachers from both schools were involved in the program.
Merak-Sakteng represents a special attraction in Bhutan. Unlike anywhere else in Bhutan, visitors here can experience a unique semi-nomadic lifestyle, culture and folk language in one of the most scenic pastoral valleys in the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) in Trashigang Dzongkhag (district) in eastern Bhutan.
It is a moderate trek (between 1,500m and 4,100m) that passes through the semi-nomadic villages of Gengu (3400m), Merak (3500m), Sakteng (2800m), Thakthi (2200m) and Joenkhar (1700m).
Merak is a settlement in the far east of Bhutan. Merak is located in Sakteng Dungkhag, Trashigang district. The people are widely known as Brokpa, which means 'highlanders'. The main occupation of these highlanders is raising domestic animals. Until 2012, Merak could only be reached by a two-day hike. In 2012, a new road was built that shortened the hike to one day. According to a local legend, the surrounding valley is inhabited by yeti.
📹 Thanks to Bhutan Cricket (@Bhutan Cricket Official) for the story and pictures.