Thimphu, Bhutan, April 2, 2025: Meera Regmi, 15, had the honour of becoming the first winner of the Olympic Council of Asia-Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Youth Reporter competition, beating a field of 200 other Bhutanese schoolchildren to earn a spot among the world’s media at next year’s showpiece.
Regmi, was judged the best of the seven finalists, at the Asian Games Youth Reporter programme which was carried out on Wednesday, April 2, on the sidelines of the OCA-OS Regional Forum in Thimphu.
“I’m honoured and happy to have won this opportunity to experience the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games next year as part of the OCA media team," said the Grade 10 student from Khangkhu Middle Secondary School.
Almost 200 school children participated in the first ‘Asian Games for All’ programme which also includes an Art Competition and a Fun Run – all three aspects designed to raise awareness and involve the wider public in the Asian Games.
The Bhutan Olympic Committee carried out the initial stage of the Asian Youth Reporter competition by holding an essay competition for schoolchildren from four schools in the capital and nearby districts.
They had to write an essay on the Asian Games. This number was then whittled down to seven finalists who on Wednesday were asked to write a small report on why they wanted to become a sports journalist.
“We plan to take 10 young aspiring sports journalists to Aichi-Nagoya for the Asian Games next year. We will choose five boys and five girls. There will be one boy and one girl from each of the five zones of the OCA,” explained Jeans Jian Zhou, OCA Director of Media and Broadcast.
“By winning the Bhutan competition, Meera has the opportunity to choose journalism as a career, if she wishes. She will have a big advantage over others her age, for she will have covered an Asian Games,” Jian Zhou added.
Bhutan Olympic Committee Secretary General Sonam Karma Tshering said: “This project provides young children an opportunity and a platform to dream.
Meera added: “I’m thrilled that I will be going to Japan, but my priority right now is my studies.”
