Sikkim CM lays foundation stone of state’s first Archery Academy-Tarundeep Rai Archery Academy

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang today laid the foundation stone of state’s first Archery Academy-Tarundeep Rai Archery Academy at Kitchudumra, Lower Kamrang, Namchi district.

The archery academy has been named after veteran archer Tarundeep Rai who hails from the state.

The academy will be built on 2 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore.

Talking about the academy, Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs, Raju Basnett said that this academy will be a world class academy with residential facilities for both boys and girls with a capacity of 60 students who will be trained.

He also said that the academy will be divided into 3 different blocks with library, information centre, coaches’ residence, audio visual room, along with both outdoor and indoor archery fields.

Talking to Northeast Live, three-time Olympian archer Tarundeep Rai said that it was his dream project to establish an archery academy. He thanked the state government for helping him fulfil his dream project.

He also said that he wish to compete in one tournament and until then he will also be retiring as an army, after which he will contribute to the academy.

The three-time Olympian archer Tarundeep Rai was conferred with the Padma Shree Award by former President of India Ramnath Kovind in New Delhi in 2021 for his contribution in sports.

He was also a recipient of Arjuna Award and Khel Ratna Award.

During his career as an archer, he brought home 7 medals from both Asian and International Archery Tournaments.

International players B. Dhiraj, Rajat Chauhan, Atnu Das, Deepika Kumari, Abhishek Verma and Indian team Coach Sonam T Bhutia were felicitated by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.