The South Asian Archery Championship: An Overview

The South Asian Archery Championship is one of the most significant regional competitions in Asian archery. As a Silver Medalist at the 2018 championship, representing the Indian National Team in Dhaka, Bangladesh, I have a personal connection to this competition that shaped my development as an international archer. Here is what makes this event important for archers across the South Asian region.

What is the South Asian Archery Championship?

The South Asian Archery Championship is a World Archery-recognized event contested between the national archery teams of South Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and others. It is sanctioned and overseen by the South Asian Archery Federation, which operates under World Archery's continental structure. The event follows World Archery rules and is contested in both recurve and compound divisions, for men and women.

Significance in International Development

For athletes in South Asia, the championship represents one of the first steps on the international competition ladder. Performance here contributes to World Archery rankings, helps athletes gain experience competing under international rules and officiating, and creates a pathway toward larger continental and world-level events. Many of India's current Olympic team members have competed at South Asian Championships at various stages of their careers.

My Experience at Dhaka 2018

I competed at the 2018 South Asian Archery Championship as part of the Punjabi University team representing India's national squad. The team secured a Silver Medal in the team event — a result that remains one of the milestones of my international career. Competing in a different country, under international officiating, against athletes who had trained in different systems was an eye-opening experience that accelerated my development significantly. The discipline, preparation, and focus required at that level are qualitatively different from domestic competition.

How to Qualify for Future Championships

Selection to represent India at the South Asian Championship is managed by the Archery Association of India (AAI). Athletes must perform at national trials and maintain competitive AAI rankings. For aspiring archers from other South Asian nations, contact your national archery federation for selection criteria specific to your country.