From Malay Mail · · 50s
Bhutan's Archery Faces Space Crisis
Bhutan's national sport loses range space to urban growth and safety fears.
In brief
Bhutan's national sport loses range space to urban growth and safety fears. Bhutan's traditional archery faces shrinking range space due to urban development and safety concerns over compound bows. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Bhutan's national sport
Traditional archery is Bhutan's national sport with deep cultural roots.
Space shortage problem
Development pressures reduce archery range space in Thimphu.
Archers' struggle
Archers say residential expansion blocks range access.
“Since now our development is coming up, archery grounds are occupied by residences, so it’s very difficult to get a play ground”
Game rules
Teams aim at 145m targets with 25-point wins.
Youth interest shift
Young people prefer football over traditional archery.
“We have a lot of other options now with sports... young people normally they prefer to play advanced games like football”
Safety concerns
Compound bows raise injury risks in urban areas.
“Given the power and speed of compound bows, their use in long-range grounds, particularly in densely populated areas, requires much stronger safety measures”
Federation response
Bhutan Archery Federation seeks safer range locations.
Parental challenge
Parents struggle to teach children due to limited ranges.
“He doesn’t have enough grounds to test his ability”
Cultural importance
Archers say the sport preserves cultural identity.
“It is our national game which has come down from our forefathers... we have to preserve (it)”
What to remember
Bhutan's traditional archery faces shrinking range space due to urban development and safety concerns over compound bows.
