IMPHAL March 27: The grand finale of the Bullseye Archery Challenge was held today at Koirengei Airfield. The talent hunt was conceived by the Red Shield Division to give a boost to archery in the state and to motivate the young and spot talent who can pick up the sport and excel at national and international levels.
The contest started on 20 February with preliminary selection in both the boys and girls categories. Stringent selection was done under the keen eye of coaches and staff of Manipur Archery Association led to short testing of 21 boys and 12 girls to take part in the final challenge rounds which were held on 6, 13 and 19 March 2011. Finally, after giving weightage to each round, eight boys and girls were eligible to enter the final Olympic round which was held in a festive ambience at Koirengei Airfield .
In the final knockout round where each archer faced another in a one to one contest, all the archers displayed exemplary skills and nerves while fighting tooth and nail for the coveted prizes. After a nail biting and close contest G Tapasika Devi in the girls category and L Henthoiba Singh in the boys category came first and carried home the gold medal and cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each,G Renuka Sharma and M Malemnganba Meitei won the silver medal and Rs 30,000 each while SH Manorama Devi and Master Chui Chui won the bronze medal and Rs 10,000 each.
Maj General DS Hooda, GOC of 57 Mountain Division while congratulating the young archers who won the coveted prizes, hoped that the event has further reinforced their resolve to excel at the sport.
The Manipur Archery Association conveyed their gratitude and appreciation to General Officer Commanding 57 Mountain Division, for organising the event in a grand manner and motivating the young archers by giving large number of prizes which the Association hoped will be spent to buy the requisite archery equipment.
