Bhutan Archery Federation has taken its national game promotion initiative a step further by taking the game to schools. Archery clubs have been formed in four schools under Kanglung Gewog.
Jampeling Higher Secondary School is one of the schools.
Karma Dolkar, 13, of Jampeling Higher Secondary School is an archery enthusiast. She has always wanted to become an Olympic archer.
“We, especially the girls, never had this opportunity. I am thankful for the free bows and arrows given to us. It’s a great job opportunity for us. We can take up archery as profession later in our lives.”
Singye Jamtsho, another student, feels the same. “I think this will be of big help. In case we are not able to continue our studies, we can take up archery as a job.”
|
|
|---|
Archery enthusiasts of Jampeling Higher Secondary School have been rigorously practicing how to hit the bull’s eye for more than two months now.
The bow looks similar to the traditional bow. Bhutan Archery Federation says it meets the Olympic bow standards.
Bhutan Archery Federation’s Coach, Tashi Tshering said they used to go for talent hunts earlier. He said it used to cost them a lot. “But we learnt there are many archery enthusiasts in the East, so we came up with the programme.”
Tashi Tshering also said they have a national team just for seniors. Another reason to take the same to the schools was identify archers for junior category.
Students aged 12 to 14 get to learn archery twice a week. They are taught to play archery in Olympic style which is safe, according to Tashi Tshering.
“Basic trainings of Olympic style archery will ensure the game is played safely. We train them on how to play, how to stand, how to aim and mainly how to release the arrow because this is most important part that determines safety.”
Bhutan Archery Federation plans to start the programme in other schools in Kanglung Gewog by the next academic year and later extend it to all schools in the eastern dzongkhags.
