Competitors taking score at the Jasin Shoot in Melaka.
The indoor archery season, running from November to March, is a highlight for archers worldwide.
Across nations, covered arenas host fierce competitions, crowning champions shielded from the elements.
In Malaysia, indoor archery is relatively new, with its inaugural tournaments held only in 2016.
Since then, the sport has steadily gained popularity, attracting archers of all levels.
Competitors placing their shots at a qualifying round during the Jasin Shoot in Melaka.
Competitors shoot over a standardised 18m distance in well-equipped halls, a stark contrast to outdoor tournaments where weather often plays a pivotal role.
The controlled environment is particularly appealing in tropical Malaysia, offering cool and distraction-free settings for archers to maintain focus.
The regional indoor archery scene is equally vibrant, with tournaments in Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.
One standout event was Thailand’s Princess’s Cup, hosted by the Thailand Outdoor Archery Club.
A line judge inspecting targets for a medal match at the 13th Thailand Princess’s Cup held in Bangkok.
This prestigious Bangkok competition, featuring Olympic Recurve, Compound and Barebow categories, drew hundreds of archers from across South-East Asia. Unfortunately, the Princess’s Cup has been on hiatus since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Indonesia, too, has made a mark with large-scale indoor events. On Java, the country’s largest tournament attracted thousands of participants, enticed by substantial prize money and the chance to climb national rankings.
In Malaysia, the season kicks off with the Jasin Shoot in Melaka at year’s end.
A tense moment at the quarterfinals at the 13th Thailand Princess’s Cup.
Event organiser Farid Mohd says this competition is a favourite among local athletes and has even seen international participants.
However, the venue’s limited capacity necessitates running the event in batches to ensure smooth operations.
This tournament serves as a prelude to the Selangor International Indoor tournament, held later in December at the sprawling MAEPS convention hall near Serdang.
The Selangor event is among the largest indoor meets in Malaysia, drawing hundreds of competitors.
Organisers aspire to elevate its profile further by securing a spot on the World Archery sporting calendar, positioning Malaysia as a premier destination for international archery.
Despite the shorter 18m range, indoor archery demands precision and mental fortitude.
Participants during equipment inspection at the 13th Thailand Princess’s Cup.
Olympic Recurve and Compound archers shoot at vertical targets with three five-ring spots. Scoring a perfect “10” requires flawless accuracy, with even a slight miss relegating the score to “5.”
Barebow archers face a single, larger 40cm target with 10 rings, but the added pressure of competition often challenges newcomers to hit consistently.
Tournaments typically begin with a qualifying round where archers shoot two rounds to determine rankings. The top 16 advance to elimination stages, which grow increasingly intense.
The finals culminate in medal matches for Bronze, Silver and Gold, with no room for error in the high-stakes elimination rounds.
Archers taking aim during an elimination round at the 13th Thailand Princess’s Cup.
Indoor archery’s popularity rivals its outdoor counterpart, keeping the sport’s calendar dynamic year-round. It sharpens technical skills and builds mental resilience, ensuring archers are always ready for future challenges.
In South-East Asia, the sport continues to thrive, with expanding participation, growing international recognition and high-profile tournaments.
As it evolves, indoor archery promises an exhilarating platform for athletes to showcase their talent and passion in the seasons to come.
