The Bhutanese Leading the way.
A coaching camp organized by the Bhutan Archery Federation (BAF) is underway for youth of both genders for four Dzongkhags.
The participants at the camp are between the ages of 16 to 23.
The coaching program started from 3 February and will end on the 10th of this month with a certificates-awarding program.
The archery coaching is being held at Trashigang, Gelephu, Phuentsholing and Thimphu.
There are 700 participants in Thimphu dzongkhag and it is divided among two sessions (morning and afternoon).
According to the BAF General Secretary, Tshewang Rinchen, the main objective of this coaching camp is to train the youth so that they have a chance to become players in the national team.
“After two months we will call the shortlisted participants and put them into intensive course so that they will be a national team,” he said.
There are no criteria for the participants to attend this coaching.
The General Secretary said that if they become national team, there will be certain benefits.
Firstly, the starting salary of selected participants will be Nu 15,000 during the provisional/probation period which will increase after six months of probation based on performance.
Secondly, all the foreign travels expenses will be borne by BAF for the competitions and trainings. And lastly, all food and lodge (hostels) plus uniforms will be provided.
Moreover, continued education on full scholarships will be provided for those who are eligible and they will also get training abroad.
For those medal winners, a cash income ranging from minimum of Nu 30,000 to maximum of 50mn will be provided depending on levels of international tournaments.
There are no requirements for prior archery experience or educational qualifications be it for the national team or the coaching camp.
The general secretary said there was a massive and good response from the people as well as from the gups, mangmis and also from the media who in fact helped them promote of coaching.
Moreover he said that schools have been much more effective, especially in the east where the Principals helped them make this archery coaching very successful in the three regions.
All the participants in four Dzongkhags were provided with food and hostel during the coaching camp.
“The archery coaching camp was very helpful and I was really interested to learn archery,” a participant, Sonam said. “This coaching camp made me learn more about the sport of archery and I learned a lot.”
The Archery coaching camp program is sponsored by the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC).
Sonam Wangmo / Thimphu
