# Bhutan's Archery Faces Space Crisis

> Bhutan's national sport loses range space to urban growth and safety fears.
- Title: Bhutan's Archery Faces Space Crisis · Malay Mail | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: bhutan, archery, thimphu, compound bows, bhuutan archery federation, cultural heritage, news, world, Bhutan's, Faces, Space, Crisis
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/09/19/bhutans-national-sport-runs-out-of-room-to-fire-an-arrow/235628
- Published: 2026-09-19T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bhutan, archery, thimphu, compound bows, bhuutan archery federation, cultural heritage, news, world
## 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)
## Key takeaway

Bhutan's traditional archery faces shrinking range space due to urban development and safety concerns over compound bows.