Chapol sets sights on a more competitive Asian Archery 

 
Bangladesh is preparing to welcome the Asian archery fraternity with an ambitious vision rather than merely another international event, as World Archery Asia President Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol declared that the newly introduced President Challenge Cup would serve as a catalyst to narrow the competitive gap across the continent.

Speaking at a press conference at the Bangladesh Olympic Association's Dutch-Bangla Bank Auditorium on Sunday, Chapol outlined the philosophy behind the Joint Training Programme and the inaugural World Archery Asia President Challenge Cup, which will be staged at the Tongi Archery Training Academy from July 30 with representatives from 26 countries. The initiative is jointly organised by World Archery Asia, World Archery, Olympic Solidarity and the Bangladesh Archery Federation.

Rather than allowing a handful of traditional powerhouses to dominate the discipline, Chapol said his administration was determined to build "One Vision, One Asia and a Unique Asia" by helping every member nation raise its standards.

"We do not want an Asia where some countries remain permanently at the top while others are left behind," Chapol said. 

He added, "Our objective is to bring every nation onto a genuinely competitive platform."

The Bangladeshi sports organiser, who became the first person from Bangladesh to be elected President of World Archery Asia last November, said the tournament reflected the promises he had made during his election campaign to accelerate the development of archery across the continent.

Highlighting Bangladesh's own remarkable progress, Chapol recalled that the home side had defeated South Korea twice on home soil during an international competition last November, describing it as clear evidence that sustained investment and proper planning could upset the established order.

"This year we are introducing the World Archery Asia President Challenge Cup for the very first time," he said, adding that the event would become an important platform for emerging archers to test themselves against international opposition.

Chapol explained that the programme had been divided into two phases. The participating archers and coaches will first undergo a joint training programme before competing in the President Challenge Cup under international competition regulations.

One of the tournament's distinctive features will be its mixed team competition. Instead of pairing athletes from the same country, organisers will create international combinations based on qualification results, allowing male and female archers from different nations to compete together. According to Chapol, the format is designed to encourage greater interaction, knowledge-sharing and competitive balance among participating countries.

The event has attracted participants from four continents, with archers and officials from 17 countries competing in the tournament, while technical officials, guests and delegates from a total of 26 nations will attend the programme. Officials believe the gathering will further strengthen Bangladesh's growing reputation as a reliable host of major international archery events.

Since assuming the presidency of World Archery Asia, Chapol has repeatedly emphasised expanding opportunities for developing member associations, with Bangladesh increasingly emerging as a regional hub for international competitions, training camps and governance initiatives. The forthcoming President Challenge Cup appears to be another arrow fired squarely at that target, as Bangladesh continues to hit the bull's-eye in its quest to elevate Asian archery.