Limba Ram in Jamshedpur. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Jan. 19: Olympian Limba Ram wants to hit bullseye at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

The 39-year-old chief coach of the Indian archery squad at Commonwealth Games 2010 believes that a balanced mind is key to success in a crunch situation.

“Yoga and meditation are important for a balanced mind. So besides regular drills, we are organising yoga and meditation classes at the ongoing national camp in SAI Eastern Centre, Calcutta, “ Limba said.

Thirty-two probables from across the country are sweating it out under Limba and 10 assistant coaches at the training camp.

Confident about India’s prospects in the Commonwealth Games, he said: “I am optimistic of winning 12 medals, including eight golds. We have some world-class performers who have it in them to up the medal tally,” he said.

Limba added: “Our archers generally falter at the last hurdle. Yoga and meditation will help them to overcome these hurdles and improve their concentration level, which is key to archery. And in days to come we might increase the yoga and meditation schedules.”

In Jamshedpur to watch the national tribal archery competition, Limba said: “Archery is essentially a sport for the tribals as majority of Adivasi archers excel in this field. The ministry of tribal affairs is doing its best to promote them. The national meet here is a pointer to this effort.”

Limba, who stayed in the city from 1996-1999 as a Tata Steel employee, added that he was also looking forward to next month’s Asian Grand Prix Championship at Kuala Lumpur.

“The Malaysian event would give me a broader picture of the form of our archers,” he said.

The former ace archer, who hails from Saradit vill-age of Rajasthan’s Udaipur district, also doubles as a director of Rajasthan Tribal Council.

Back in the city after a year, Limba said it felt like home. “Last year, I was invited to Jamshedpur for a programme. I have very fond memories of this city when I stayed here and was associated with Tata Archery Academy. I am aware of the places, food and greenery here and would like to visit this place often,” Limba said.