Druk Wangyel archery in full swing

30 November 2009

Today, Zshongar11 will play against Tsheringma and DYS will play against Dhungsam Trothuen in the Druk Wangyel knockout archery tournament, which is in full swing at the Changlingmithang archery range.

Twenty teams from all over the country are taking part in the tournament which is sponsored by Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and Zimdra Automobiles and organised by Bhutan Archery Federation (BAF). Till last year, it had been sponsored by BAF. “Traditional bow and compound bow tournaments have their own segment of spectators.

This tournament is more watched by people who love playing with traditional bows,” said Jurmin Wangdi, Assistant Secretary General of BAF.

Spectators are free to watch the match. “People who come to watch the matches are from low income group and we do not want to keep them away from watching because Nu 10 a day for a month means a lot to them,” said Jurmin.

He also added that the tournament is organised to preserve and promote our culture and tradition.

The annual tournament on traditional bow started from November 21 and will end on December 19.

The entry fee for the tournament is Nu 5,000. The players in the tournament are as old as 65 years and as young as 20.

Chang Gewa Gha, which means Chang loves to win, is one team that has majority of the senior players.

“I have been playing since I was 15 but so far I have not been able to outdo my age with the number of kareys. These days the government has made the archery range so inviting but it is my age that betrays me.

But I am having fun,” said Ugyen Tshering, 65, former Chang gup and one of the players of Chang Gewa Gha.

The winning team members will be awarded a 29-inch television set each, while the runners-up will be awarded a washing machine each.

The best archer will take home a Suzuki bike, the man of the match and the highest dobji hitter will take away a washing machine each.

Last year, 17 teams participated in the tournament and the winner was DGPC.

BAF organises four tournaments a year, two on compound bows and two on traditional bows.