Agency: The 2024 Druk Wangyal National Archery Tournament at the Changlimithang Archery Range in Thimphu is off to a thrilling start, with a record 58 teams from 50 gewogs, vying for victory in this prestigious event.
The traditional archery competition, which began on November 4, will run through February. This year, the tournament features a unique twist—all archers represent their respective gewogs in a format designed to promote unity and foster local talent.
The second matches, held yesterday saw a fierce showdown between Kanglung gewog and Shumar gewog in Pool A, and Radhi gewog and Balam gewog in Pool B. However, neither match ended with a clear winner.
In the Kanglung-Shumar contest, the teams split the first two sets. Kanglung won the first set 25-21, but Shumar was leading 18-10 in the second set when the game was called off at 4:30 PM. In the Radhi-Balam match, Radhi claimed the first set 25-22, but Balam was in control of the second set, leading 16-7 when the match ended.
Radhi’s captain, Dorji Phuntsho, praised his opponents’ skill while acknowledging the unpredictability of the game. “My team hopes to win, but it depends on luck.”
Kanglung’s captain Karma, expressed confidence in his team’s experience, highlighting the players’ participation in previous tournaments. “We are carefully selected to perform well and aim to defeat our opponents,” he said.
Organised by the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association (BIGSA), the Druk Wangyal National Archery Tournament is an annual event that honours the 2003 victory over foreign militants and pays tribute to His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
The tournament follows a knockout format, with each team consisting of 13 players, including two substitutes. Each team paid an entry fee of Nu 15,000.