Jaipur: The first NTPC National Ranking Archery Championship, organised jointly by the Archery Association of India and the Rajasthan Archery Association, was inaugurated at the Shooting Range Archery Academy here on Friday.The presence of international and national-level players, coaches, technical officials, and sports enthusiasts from across the country at the opening ceremony made the event memorable.Jawahar Singh Badam, minister of state for home affairs, Govt of Rajasthan, was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Special guests included Virendra Sachdeva, general secretary of the Archery Association of India, Anil Kamini, president of the Archery Premier League, and Ekta Agarwal, BJP state secretary.
Chief guests being introduced to the players during the first NTPC National Ranking Archery Championship in Jaipur on Friday
Surendra Singh Gurjar, general secretary of the Rajasthan Archery Association, stated that the ranking rounds of the senior men’s and women’s recurve and compound events were successfully completed on the first day of the competition. Medal bouts will be held on the second day, where the country’s best archers will compete for the gold medal.Gurjar added that all preparations for the competition have been made in accordance with international standards, and that a state-of-the-art shooting range, high-quality targets, a technical scoring system, medical facilities, security, drinking water, and other necessary arrangements have been made available for the athletes.Rajasthan Archery Association president Deependra Singh said that hosting the first National Ranking Archery competition of the year 2026 on Rajasthan soil is a matter of pride for the entire state. The presence of the country’s top archers will provide Rajasthan’s athletes with an opportunity to learn, gain inspiration, and hone their talents. He expressed confidence that this event will give a new direction to the development of archery in the state and inspire young athletes to reach national and international levels.In his address, minister of state for home affairs Jawahar Singh Badam said that Rajasthan is rapidly establishing a new identity in sports. The state government is committed to providing every possible opportunity and modern facilities to sporting talent. He added that archery is an important part of India’s glorious sporting tradition, and such national events foster discipline, self-confidence, and a sense of excellence among the state’s youth.Archery Association of India general secretary Virendra Sachdeva said that the Rajasthan Archery Association has made excellent arrangements for organising the national-level competition. He added that national ranking competitions are an important platform for shaping the future of athletes. The talents emerging from these competitions will represent the country on major platforms like the Asian Games, World Championships, and the Olympics in the future.Anil Kamini, president of the Archery Premier League, said that the level of archery in India is constantly rising. If athletes continue to receive quality training, modern technology, and regular competitions, India can establish a stronger position in the world of archery. He urged athletes to consider sportsmanship, discipline, and consistent practice as the keys to success.BJP state secretary Ekta Agarwal said that sports are not just a means to win medals, but are also the foundation for building a healthy, strong, and cultured society. She said that Rajasthan’s sports culture is continuously flourishing, and a growing number of youth are joining sports, which signals a bright future for the state.During the ceremony, the guests encouraged the athletes and wished them to excel with utmost dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship. They expressed confidence that the national competition held in Jaipur will be remembered as a successful and inspirational event in the history of Indian archery.On this occasion, Rajasthan Archery Association key member Anil Joshi, Dinesh Kumawat, Ganga Singh, Haridev Joshi, technical officer of Archery Association of India Somesh Sharma, Sunil Chaudhary along with many officials, technical officers, trainers, players and sports lovers of Archery Association of India and Rajasthan Archery Association were present.Many international and national medal-winning archers from across the country are participating in the competition. Players and sports fans are particularly excited about the upcoming medal bouts. The Rajasthan Archery Association has appealed to all sports fans to visit the competition venue and cheer on the athletes.
