Shillong, April 28: Services Archery team trained and administered by Army Archery Node, at 58 Gorkha Training Centre Shillong wins the 20th Senior National Archery Championship (Indian Round) conducted at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) from 17 to 21 Apr 2013. More than 200 Archers from 32 teams belonging to various States, Para Military Forces & Central Armed Police Forces participated in the prestigious event.
Finals for the team event (Olympic Round) were played between Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) and West Bengal. SSCB team stood 1st with 213 out of 240 points, and won the overall championship. In the individual events Rifleman Pukar Thapa of 58 GTC defeated Pritam Rana of Uttrakhand in finals by scoring 7-1 points and he was declared Individual & new National Champion during the tournament.
Rifleman Reshem Budhathoki of 58 GTC representing the Tripura State in the Championship won Gold Medal in 30 Mtr with the new national record. The services team baged 6 out of possible 7 gold medals and one bronze. Governor of Chhattisgarh Shri Shekhar Dutt, was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony. He gave away prizes to the winners and runners-up in a colourful ceremony.
In order to tap the innate talent of persons from the hill tribes especially of the North East, Army Sports Control Board gave the status of ‘Army Archery Node’ (AAN) for Indian Round to 58 GTC in 2001. Since its establishment, 58 GTC Archers have been performing in various International / National level competitions.
The archers of 58 GTC have won Senior National Championship 14 times since 1994. They have the distinction of holding four National Records to their credit. The Army Archery Node has produced 11 International & 31 National level archers. A haul of 50 Golds, 17 Silvers & 17 Bronze medals have been bagged by 58 GTC Archers since the inception.
Presently the Node at 58 GTC Shillong has a strength of 26 Archers. The most notable performer has been Subedar Tarundeep Rai, VSM who represented the country in Athens and London Olympics. In addition, Subedar Chungda Sherpa, Havildars Santosh Tamang, Bikash Gurung, Bijay Rai, Ashok Biswa, Lance naik Sonam Pinsto Lepcha, and Rifelmen Mukesh Tamang, Prakash Gurung, Birsa Bandiya and Renso Purty, are other archers of National and International fame. The archers of 58 GTC have also represented North Eastern States including Meghalaya in National Championships. 58 GTC Army Archery Node, is truly a prized possession of the Shillong.(SP News)
