Archery: The first archer of team Nolha had shot both his arrows when the umpire announced a walkover to the other two teams yesterday, cutting short Nolha’s participation in yesterday’s match of the ongoing Yangphel archery tournament.

The decision was taken as the Ma (last shooter) of the team failed to reach the archery range on time. Other two teams, Country Travel and Phulla Nga continued with Country Travel completing three sets and Phulla Nga, one.

Nolha’s team captain, Dorji Wangdi requested the umpires to consider the matter but in vain. Dorji Wangdi argued that his friend was late by about two minutes and the match had just started. He said it was his team’s fault, but he would have been happy if it was left to captains of the other two teams to decide and not the umpire.

“Umpires are like mediators and they should not take such abrupt decision,” Dorji Wangdi said. “This is discouraging for the archery enthusiasts to take part in the future tournaments.”

Nolha’s archer Pema Khandu said they came to the match with a hope to qualify for the knockout round. “We have scored three points in the first round and scoring six points each in other two matches of the league round would have taken us to the knockout round,” he said. Playing the third match will not be able to catch up.

The tournament rules states that if a team or all the members of a team were not present five minutes before the game, the team would be given ‘walk over’ resulting in a zero score.

Tournament’s umpire Namgay Tenzin said two archers were missing and the team captain claimed they are at the other Bacho. “We let the game start, but the two archers of Nolha were not around,” he said. “We had to take the decision as the other two teams were complaining.”

Another team, Yuegi Nyamro, who was supposed to play at the upper Bacho in the morning against Chador T construction and Sidsum Namgyal, also forced to concede a walkover. The archers of the team failed to report on time.

The match continued with two teams. Chador T construction won the match completing four sets while Sidsum Namgyal could manage only one.

Yangphel’s Chief Umpire Tshering Phuntsho said teams should report at the archery range by 12 noon, 30 minutes before the match starts in the afternoon. The morning match starts at 7:30am.

At the lower Bacho, RICBL and Druk Kar Detshen completed one set each. The third team, Druk Tsentop Construction could not complete a single set.

In the afternoon, Zimdra Builder Material team won comfortably by completing three sets to beat Yuegi Charo and Bhutan Norter Adventure.

The on going Yangphel’s league round is played in nine dzongkhags and 11 venues with 249 teams taking part. League rounds are ongoing in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha dzongkhags while it is completed in other venues. Winners from all the venues will come to Changlimithang to play knockout round.

The knockout round is expected to begin by August 11.

By Nima Wangdi

Advertisement