Kokrajhar's archery academy sends four athletes to state trials

Four young archers from a modest training centre on the outskirts of Kokrajhar town have qualified for next month's state-level trials. The academy was started three years ago by a group of local volunteer coaches, and today trains more than fifty students on a regular schedule.

The head coach called the achievement a boost for the entire programme. "Children who started here with bamboo bows and basic equipment are now ready to compete at the state level — that means a great deal to us," the coach said.

Among those selected is a sixteen-year-old student who picked up a bow for the first time only two years ago. "At first I just came because I enjoyed it. Now I want to play for the state," she said. Her family says they are thrilled by her progress.

The district sports department has promised to help supply the academy with better training equipment. An official said it was encouraging to see talent emerging from a remote part of the district, and that more government support would follow.

The trials will be held in Guwahati next month, drawing archers from across the state. If Kokrajhar's four qualifiers perform well, they stand a chance of making the state squad.