People in Bumthang are joyous as the annual Royal Wedding Anniversary Archery Tournament resumed this year after a gap of two years due to the pandemic. The tournament is a celebration of the Royal Wedding by the people of Chhumey, which is the maternal home of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen.
More than 50 teams from Paro, Haa, Thimphu and Bumthang took part in this year’s tournament which was organized by a private individual in collaboration with Chhumey Gewog Administration. The final of the month-long tournament was played among three teams, two from Bumthang and one from Thimphu. Team Wangchen Nga won this year’s tournament. They took home a compound bow worth more than Nu 100,000 each. The other two teams also took home compound bows and smart TV sets. Hundreds of spectators enjoyed the match.
“Such gatherings were affected by the pandemic for the last few years. However, we are happy that the tournament and the gatherings are back now,” said Tshering Pelden, a resident of Oongsang at Chhumey Gewog who came to witness the game.
“We were unable to organize the tournament in 2020 and 2021 but we are happy that we could conduct it this year and give people an opportunity to celebrate once more,” said Chhumey Mangmi Kezang Dorji.
A cake-cutting ceremony was also held to celebrate the Royal Wedding Anniversary which was followed by a lucky draw to entertain the spectators. The day ended with the winners taking home the prestigious Royal Wedding Anniversary Archery Tournament’s rolling trophy.
Kipchu, Bumthang
Edited by Phub Gyem
