Jamshedpur, July 8: Dronacharya awardee and long-serving archery coach Purnima Mahto will assist the Bengal government in setting up a residential archery cradle in Jhargram by September.

Bengal department of youth services and sports had approached Purnima via her employers Tata Steel in the last week of June. The department had written a letter to Tata Steel sports wing administrator Mukul Choudhry, who later took Purnima's consent.

"I have given my consent. I was keen to use my experience for something constructive happening in the neighbouring state," Purnima said over phone from Jalpaiguri.

She's in Jalpaiguri for the first selection trials scheduled at Jalpaiguri Sports Complex from July 8-10. Aspirants from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Dakshin Dinajpur and Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar and Malda will be trying their luck at the trials.

Mahto (41), a former national champion and a silver medallist in the Commonwealth Games of 1998, will share her expertise with Bengal in the selection of cadets in the age group of 8-15 and stitching up a training module for them.

"I will be involved in the selection of cadets and will be available for any cradle-related suggestions to the Bengal authorities," Purnima said.

According to her, the second selection trials will be held at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Eastern Centre, popularly known as SAI complex, near the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata from July 17-19 and the third at Jhargram Archery Academy between July 24 and July 26.

The final screening is scheduled from August 7-9 in Jhargram.

However, Purnima may not be available for the third selection trials because of prior commitments. "I shall be busy at the national trials (at Rohtak) for the Youth Archery Championship to be held in Argentina in August," she said.

Purnima remains busy in shepherding the activities of Tata Archery Academy and has produced several medal-winning archers. She also helps Tata Steel Rural Development Society by touring the hinterlands of the state to spot talents and groom them. "The game has huge prospects," she said.

Seasoned Bengal archer Dola Banerjee has also been roped in for sharing her expertise in setting up the Bengal cradle.

Purnima, who has guided celebrity archer Deepika Kumari, is one of the mentors at the Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur. She is also on national duty as a mentor in international competitions, including the Olympic Games.