The Bangladesh Archery Federation will give prize money to medal winners at this year’s National Archery Championship.
The 16th edition of the event starts the day after tomorrow. The federation has added cash rewards in both men’s and women’s compound and recurve categories.
The prize money will be given in the individual events. The gold medalist will get Tk 50,000. The silver medalist will receive Tk 25,000. The bronze medalist will earn Tk 10,000.
At a press conference this afternoon at the Olympic Association auditorium, federation general secretary Tanvir Ahmed Aalo shared the details.
“We started with individual events this time. The gold medalist in the individual event will get 50,000 taka, the silver 25,000, and the bronze 10,000. In the future, we will try to provide awards in other events as well,” he said.
The National Championship is the top local competition in the sport. In many other sports in Bangladesh, national champions do not get strong financial rewards. Athletes outside football and cricket often depend on jobs or contracts with different organisations. Federations also struggle to support players with money.
Even archers who have played in two Olympic Games in a row do not have a strong monthly salary structure. That is why the new prize money plan stands out.
This year, 71 teams will take part in the championship. That number is higher than before. Teams also join the event to earn voting rights in federation matters.
Some asked if the increase in teams is linked to the upcoming federation election. Tanvir gave his reply.
“To be a councillor in the federation, you have to play the National Championship twice within four years. If someone plays only once, they will not get voting rights,” he said.
The event will also feature a federation team this time. If an organisation does not join, its archers can play for the Bangladesh Archery Federation.
National archer Rakib Mia will compete under the federation’s banner.
Teer will sponsor the championship. The matches will be held at the archery venue in Tongi Stadium.
