Thinley Namgay

Team Duktip from Trashiyangtse will face Orong Gewog from Samdrupjongkhar at the finals of the fourth Mewang Gyalsey Traditional Archery Tournament at Changlimithang on March 7.

From the Pool A, Duktip defeated Chang Gewog.  On March 1, Chang Gewog sealed the first set before lunch with point margin of 25-9. The second set, however, became highly contested and at the end of the day, a set remained undecided with 12-11 in favor of Duktip.

The match continued on March 2, but Duktip won with 25-20 before lunch break.  However, in the deciding set, Duktip thrashed the opponents 25-7.

From the Pool B, Orong Gewog beat Norlha. Norlha led an initial set with 25-23 on March 1 but in the remaining sets, Orong defeated Norlha by winning two straight sets with 25-10 in the second set and 25-5 in the deciding set.

Duktip’s captain, Kelzang Jigme, said that this was the maiden journey for his team. “I have good teammates. Most of the players had participated in the Druk Wangyel National Archery Tournament and some were selected from the friendly match played before.  I am optimistic that my team will perform well to lift the trophy.”

A total of 25 teams from across the country took part in the knock out tournament that began on February 3. It is an annual tournament organised by Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports (BIGSA) to commemorate the birth anniversary of His Royal Highness the Gyalsey.

The teams paid an entry fee of Nu 7,500 each. Each team has 13 players. Thirteen teams competed from Pool A and 12 teams from Pool B. 

The winners have to finish two sets of 25 points.