Every stride, every smile, every game
A step toward a more inclusive Bhutan.
A Tribute to Bhutan’s First Paralympic Day and the Legacy of Late Mr. Yasuo Miyazawa
On April 26, 2019, Bhutan turned a new page in its journey toward inclusion and dignity for all. The nation marked its first-ever Paralympic Day at the Athletics Stadium in Thimphu — an inspiring celebration of ability, resilience, and community.
Organized by the Bhutan Paralympic Committee (BPC), this historic event brought together 160 children with disabilities and 140 able-bodied children, united in purpose and play. From sitting volleyball, boccia, para-badminton, unified relays, and shooting, to interactive stations where guests and parents experienced wheelchair racing — every activity became a thread that wove understanding and empathy into the social fabric of Bhutan.
It wasn’t just a day of sports. It was a profound expression of Bhutan’s growing movement — a belief that every child, regardless of ability, deserves the freedom to move, compete, laugh, and belong.
At the heart of this movement was late Mr. Yasuo Miyazawa, Chairman of SEISA Group and FGC, whose unwavering belief in inclusion and education through sport helped give shape to this milestone. On this meaningful day, he was appointed Honorary Advisor to the President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), under the kind direction of His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, President of the BOC and Representative of His Majesty the King. The appointment, handed by BOC Secretary General Mr. Sonam Karma Tshering, marked a historic first — the first time a foreign national was honored with such a distinction within the Royal Family’s advisory role.
Late Mr. Yasuo Miyazawa also received a Letter of Appreciation from Her Royal Highness Princess Euphelma Choden Wangchuck, President of the Bhutan Paralympic Committee, in deep gratitude for his instrumental role in the establishment of BPC and the successful organization of Bhutan’s first Paralympic Day.
His support was not only structural; it was heartfelt. He championed the rights of children with disabilities to be seen, heard, and celebrated. He understood that the Paralympic movement in Bhutan was not just about sport — it was about identity, opportunity, and belonging.
Today, as we reflect on this powerful beginning, we remember late Mr. Yasuo Miyazawa as more than a visionary — he was a friend to Bhutan, a believer in human potential, and a global advocate for inclusion.
May his legacy continue through every child who races toward their dream, every teacher who empowers ability, and every step we take in advancing a more inclusive Bhutan — and world.
Together, we carry forward his vision and his heart, as we build a world stitched together by a “Chain of Smiles” — from SEISA, from Bhutan, and into the future.
