VISAKHAPATNAM: The training academy set up by a few national archery champions from Visakha Agency on the premises of VUDA Park in June evoked poor response and the organisers blame it on lack of its promotion. They are now planning to conduct training camps for the school students during vacations.
Initially, the boys and girls from a school at Parawada, for whom archery is part of the school syllabus, have been trained here before they go to competitions. But children from local schools evinced no interest due to lack of publicity about the archery academy.
“The VUDA has allotted space near the beach. We chose that place since it is suitable for the training in an effective way. With the wind from the beach side will make the archer to concentrate more and shoot arrows by gauging the wind speed and direction,” said L Madhu of Adivasi Student Union Archery Academy.
“We have two equipments (bow and arrow) which are sufficient for the present batch. We also asked the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) for allotting funds for developing the academy. We are also planning to meet the VUDA vice-chairman and ask for some more space if there is good response from students,” he added.
The academy which pays `3,500 rent per month initially had training session in the morning and evening by two tribal coaches, but with single coach available, now the classes are conducted only from 6 am to 8 am.
The equipment will be provided by the academy for two months. The archers have to buy their own bow and arrow after that.
“We also train students in Sanskriti Global School, Parwada, where they have space and good equipment for the archery training. The city schools are yet to know about archery. We are now planning publicity in local schools about archery and conduct camps during holidays so that the interested students will join regular coaching. However, we need more coaches if there are more students who come to learn,” Madhu told the Express.
“We have 5-6 students who come regularly to the academy, besides the students who are preparing for the tournaments come for practice,” said archery coach S Santhosh.