SHILLONG : Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday inaugurated the NTPC Senior National Archery Championship at the archery ground in Umsawli, Shillong.
The championship is being organised by the Archery Association of Meghalaya under the aegis of the Archery Association of India.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Alertson Nongbri, Matsiewdor War Nongbri, office-bearers of the Archery Association of Meghalaya and the Archery Association of India, along with several distinguished personalities, including Padma Shri, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awardees, as well as recent Asian Games medal winners.
Addressing the gathering, Dhar said the championship would inspire the younger generation in Meghalaya to take up archery and pursue excellence in sports.
He said the event was an important opportunity for Meghalaya to develop sporting talent and strengthen its capabilities as the state prepares to host the National Games in March 2027.
Welcoming teams from across the country, Dhar said, “Our state may be small in population, but we are very big in heart.”
In the men’s recurve qualification round, Dhiraj Bommadevara of the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) topped the standings with 680 points, narrowly ahead of Maharashtra’s Parth Sushant Saunkhe, who scored 679 points.
Sukhchain Singh of SSCB and Paras Hooda of Haryana also featured among the leading competitors, scoring 672 points each.
In the women’s recurve qualification round, Maharashtra’s Kumkum Anil Mohod topped the standings with 677 points, finishing 15 points ahead of Jharkhand’s Ankita Bhakat, who scored 662 points.
The qualification rounds witnessed strong performances from archers representing different states, with Gujarat’s Bhagora Bhargavi Vargishkumar scoring 655 points to secure a place among the leading competitors.
The championship began with the men’s and women’s 70-metre recurve qualification rounds, followed by the opening ceremony and the completion of the women’s 70-metre recurve event.
The men’s and women’s recurve team events, including the Round of 16 and quarter-finals, are scheduled to take place on November 16.