Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: South West Khasi Hills surged to the top of the leaderboard on day two of the Meghalaya State Archery Championship. The district hauled 13 medals including five gold, four silver, and four bronze. It currently leads the Indian Round category at the Sports Authority of India centre on the North Eastern Hill University campus.
West Khasi Hills follows in second place with 11 medals, counting four gold, two silver, and five bronze. East Jaintia Hills holds third with three gold, two silver, and two bronze medals. East Garo Hills remains close behind with three gold, one silver, and two bronze. East Khasi Hills rounds out the top five with a single gold and four silver medals.
The Archery Association of Meghalaya launched the three-day meet on August 11. Every district except North Garo Hills has claimed at least one medal so far. Archers compete in sub-junior to senior brackets across men, women, individual, team, and mixed-team events. The Indian Round uses equipment crafted from bamboo, cane, and wood to keep costs low. According to organizers, "The Indian Round was developed as a competitive format in India in 1989, with Meghalaya's Woodward Sohliya among its pioneers."
The format preserves traditional skills. It also serves as a vital entry point for grassroots talent. The competition wraps up today. Recurve and compound events remain, giving trailing districts a chance to gain ground.
Updated at 13th August 2026 at 10:06pm
The championship wrapped up on August 13 with South West Khasi Hills holding onto their lead to finish with a total of 25 medals: eight gold, 10 silver, and seven bronze. East Khasi Hills surged on the final day, jumping from fifth place to secure the runner-up spot with seven gold, seven silver, and four bronze medals. West Khasi Hills took third with six gold, six silver, and six bronze, while Ri-Bhoi landed fourth with four gold, two silver, and four bronze. East Jaintia Hills finished fifth, edging out East Garo Hills on silver medal count.
Over 200 archers representing all 12 districts competed at the NEHU centre. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla attended as the chief guest, citing the government's budget hike for sports from Rs 70 crore to Rs 844 crore over seven years. Shylla highlighted a new policy offering direct government appointments to successful athletes and pointed toward the 2027 National Games, which Meghalaya will host. He praised the Archery Association of Meghalaya for its work preparing for those games, noting that archery was the state's only gold-medal-winning discipline at the recent Khelo India Tribal Games.
Comments