Eighteen teams are participating in the ongoing Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Memorial National Archery Tournament. This number is said to be quite disappointing when compared to the participation in compound bow tournaments.
Teams from Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Wangdue Phodrang, Gaeddu and Paro are participating in the tournament played in traditional bow at Changlimithang, in Thimphu.
The archers say the younger generation prefers playing on the compound bow instead of the traditional bow. They added there isn’t much support towards traditional bow tournaments, both financially and infrastructure-wise.
An official from the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association has shared they are worried that traditional archery could disappear.
The national archery tournament is an annual event.