Without being a widespread sport, archery has still its hardliner enthusiasts. If for some the aim is to win trophies, for others it’s just about enjoying themselves. Even if sometimes one may find it somewhat a costly affair.

For 6 years now, Mr. Gilbert Virassamy and his friends meet regularly on the green field of St Andrew Collège, in Rose Hill. Although dressed in sportswear, he isn’t there for football, the national sport. Equipped with an odd-sized trunk Gilbert and his friends are there for a sport which certainly isn’t popular, nevertheless has its fervent enthusiasts: archery.

It’s always the same ritual: roll the round shaped target to a chosen distance, for instance 50m today. Its diameter is about 1.50m and it’s made out of thick hay strongly bounded. “This material comes from Spain. It costs Rs 8,000” says Gilbert, admitting that his favorite sport costs him quite a small fortune. Such expenses are covered with the subscriptions paid by members to their club.

The various parts of the bow are carefully stored away in the trunk. They are made of refined materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber and Kevlar. While assembling his bow, Gilbert explains the role of each part and their prices. As a whole, the bow costs at least about Rs 22,000 although some parts are second hand ones.

In the quiver are the arrows with their multi colored fletching. Shootings in competition are divided into sets or ends of 3 arrows (editor’s note: 24 shots divided into ends of 6 arrows in the Olympics.) Therefore, Gilbert advises trainees to have at least 3 arrows. However, a lot more than 3 arrows are fired on a single shooting session during trainings. A classic type costs about Rs 150. But today, Gilbert is trying the “spin wind”, an arrow which increases its velocity with the wind and which is worth about Rs 750.

Competitors or amateurs

So as not to discourage the beginners by all these expenses, the club make available to new members some materials which are not necessarily in perfect shapes but definitely do the job. Moreover, not all members are after titles nor participate in tournament. Out of the 50 members of the Rose Hill club, less than 30 do practice regularly.

Gilbert who is now in retirement attends trainings twice a week and takes part in competitions. Archery keeps him fit. But above all, he is there to enjoy himself and to share a common passion with friends.