Shillong, Nov 10: Shillong will host the NTPC Senior National Archery Championship from November 12 to 17, with around 1,000 athletes representing 44 associations expected to participate in the six-day competition at the Parade Ground, Umsawli.
Organised by the Archery Association of Meghalaya (AAM) under the aegis of the Archery Association of India, the championship will see 23 archers represent the host state.
The competition 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 is being organised with the support of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya.
Athletes are expected to start arriving in Shillong on November 11. The competition will begin the following morning with the men’s recurve qualification round at 8am, followed by the opening ceremony at 10:30am. The women’s recurve qualification round is scheduled for noon.
The compound events will begin on November 13, followed by the Indian Round competitions on November 14. The championship will conclude on November 17, with 15 gold-medal matches scheduled across individual, team and mixed-team categories.
The hosting of the championship also renews Shillong’s longstanding association with national-level archery. The city previously hosted the second Senior Recurve National Championship in October 1975, the 10th edition in May 1986, and the 20th Senior Recurve and sixth Senior Indian Round National Championships in November 1999. Shillong also hosted the Junior National Championship in December 2011.
Archery has deep traditional roots in Meghalaya, particularly through Siat Khnam, the indigenous archery practice of the Khasi Hills. The state has also contributed to the development of modern archery, with the late Woodward Sohliya recognised as one of the pioneers of the Indian Round, which was introduced in 1989 and features as one of the three formats at the upcoming championship.
The event comes amid continued activity in traditional and competitive archery across the state. On October 22, West Khasi Hills district organised Jingiakop Siat Khnam Tynrai as part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations. Earlier, the Meghalaya State Archery Championship was held at the Sports Authority of India centre at NEHU Campus from August 11 to 13, attracting more than 200 archers and officials representing all 12 districts.
The Parade Ground at Umsawli is also expected to be developed as a Centre of Excellence, adding to the significance of Shillong hosting the national championship.
