STC archers hit bull’s-eye again

R RAMACHANDRAN

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 7: At the conclusion of the National Archery Championship at Kolkata recently there was a huge sigh of relief from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). That thoughtfully conceived Special Area Games scheme, which started with a bang but fizzeled out gradually, had once again hit the bull’s eye. A bagful of medals for the handpicked tribals meant that the special project was back on rails after it lost way somewhere along the way.

And a hard to miss fact about this comeback story was the return of the brightest star on Indian archery — Limba Ram — to its alma mater. The ace archer shifted from the Tata Academy to SAI Training Centre (STC), Delhi, just before the nationals. But there was a twist to his homecoming. Though Limba won a gold but he lost the individual national title to his teammate Shiv Nath Nageshia. Besides the two golds, there were two indiviudal bronze medals by Mangal Singh, Rajesh Hasdak and a team bronze for STC. A relative jackpot after the recent glut.

Many feel that the sudden change in SAI fortunes can be due to the presence of Limba and the subsequent quantum leap in the confidence of his teammates. And when Nageshia nods in agreement, there can’t be any debate on the issue. ‘‘Limba’s presence in the team lifts the morale of the entire team. With him alongside, you want to score all the time. His technique is too good and he always shares with all us some finer points,’’ said the champion. Besides Limba, there have been some other factors responsible for change in the scheme of things for STC. According to coach Soumen Das, Kolkata was a proud moment for him and his boys. ‘‘It was the result of a combined effort by all concerned at the STC, particularly Regional Director SK Saggar and administrator Roque Dias,’’ he said.

So, is this a watershed event in Indian archery? No, could be an apt answer. When there is a marked improvement the world over, our archers have always been found wanting when it came to qualifying for the World Championships and Olympics. And all is not hunky-dory at the SAI training centres. Trainees sulk when asked about the facilities. It was obvious from their desperation that they could do even better only if the training centre provided them with the latest equipment. ‘‘Yes, that is an impediment for us, particularly for young archers,’’ said a sernior trainee. Apparently, the authorities don’t provide the younger ones with the latest equipment as they are generally reserved for the seniors.

When contacted the SAI administrator Dias harped on the usual problem about funds. ‘‘There is a problem of financial support but now that we have shown results, the scheme is bound to return to its old days,’’ he said, adding, ‘‘SAI is already considering strengthening the scheme further.’’ But there is a catch here. It was reliably learnt that SAI had released Rs. 15 lakh to Gurukul Archery Academy in Meerut recently when it’s own scheme was in need of funds.

These are the flaws which have hampered this dream project in the past. And if SAI doesn’t change its ways the "back on rails" scenario can soon derail again.