“Kurukulle” is a prominent women’s team at the Bhutan National Archery Championship 2025, showcasing the rising popularity of compound archery among Bhutanese women and challenging societal superstitions. Kurukulle is optimistic about qualifying for the knockout stage, with Archer Pema stating they will maintain their performance in the last league game and aim to reach the quarterfinals. Pema believes compound archery doesn’t carry cultural significance, encouraging women’s involvement. The Bhutan Archery Federation, in partnership with the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association, is organizing the competition with the dual goals of promoting compound archery and conserving Bhutan’s rich cultural legacy.
Although precise prize details have not yet been revealed, each team paid an entry fee of Nu 20,000, giving the prize pool a total of Nu 1.68 million. The tournament allows and encourages the use of mechanical triggers, with each team fielding two trigger users in an effort to modernize the sport and get archers ready for international contests. Triggers, according to archers, greatly increase control, simplify bow drawing, and improve accuracy. There are currently only a few compound archers in Bhutan that use the triggers, mechanical releases, sights, and peeps that are used in international tournaments such as the Olympics and the Asian Games. Finger release is still used by most archers. Some archers from this championship are expected to be chosen for additional training in order to get ready for next international competitions, according to officials.