Shillong, Nov 12: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar inaugurated the NTPC Senior National Archery Championship at the Archery Ground, Umsawli, on Thursday, as the country’s top archers began their campaign in the recurve qualification rounds.
The championship, organised by the Archery Association of Meghalaya under the aegis of the Archery Association of India, brings together three national championships: the 46th Senior Recurve, 22nd Senior Compound and 33rd Senior Indian Round National Championships for men and women.
The event has attracted 785 archers across six categories, with participation from 35 States and Union Territories and eight other units, taking the total number of participating associations and units to 43. The championship has 154 participants in recurve men, 116 in recurve women, 154 in compound men, 119 in compound women, 129 in Indian round men and 113 in Indian round women. In addition, 167 coaches and managers and 25 technical officials are part of the event, taking the overall participation to 977.
Meghalaya’s Devraj Mohaptra made a strong start in the men’s recurve 70m qualification round, finishing fourth with 674 points. He was tied on points with Odisha’s Arjun Khara, who secured third place, while SSCB’s Dhiraj Bommadevara topped the standings with 680 points. Maharashtra’s Parth Sushant Saunkhe followed closely with 679.
SSCB’s Sukhchain Singh and Haryana’s Paras Hooda occupied fifth and sixth positions, respectively, with 672 points each.
In the women’s recurve qualification, Maharashtra’s Kumkum Anil Mohod emerged as the leader with 677 points, enjoying a 15-point advantage over Jharkhand’s Ankita Bhakat, who finished second with 662. SSCB’s Sangeeta secured third place with 660 points.
Maharashtra continued its strong showing, with Sharvari Somnath Shende and Gatha Anandrao Khadake occupying fourth and fifth positions with 657 points each. Gujarat’s Bhagora Bhargavi Vargishkumar completed the top six with 655 points.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Dhar expressed confidence that hosting the national championship would help popularise archery in Meghalaya and inspire young athletes across the State.
He said the presence of leading national and international archers would encourage greater participation in the sport across all districts. He also described the championship as an important opportunity for Meghalaya to strengthen its organisational and technical capabilities ahead of hosting the National Games in March 2027.
Welcoming the participating teams, the Deputy Chief Minister said that although Meghalaya was small in population, the State was big in heart.
The opening day’s programme featured the men’s and women’s recurve 70m qualification rounds, followed by the inaugural ceremony and the second qualification round for women.
The recurve men’s and women’s team events, featuring the 1/8 and quarter-final rounds, are scheduled to take place on November 16.
