The 20-odd cadets of Eklavya Archery Academy in Kiriburu (West Singhbhum) may have to skip their daily practice sessions in the monsoon as the SAIL-run cradle's request to Tata Steel sports department for opening up JRD Sports Complex has made no headway.

Promoted by Steel Authority of India, the training facility in West Singhbhum district sends its cadets for practice to other locations as it rains heavily in Kiriburu, a hilly area.

"I have personally requested Tata sports' wing head Charles Borromeo, but he is yet to respond. I have also requested him through emails but nothing is moving. I think we have to forget heading to Jamshedpur," SAIL assistant general manager Navin Kumar Sonkusare told The Telegraph .

Jamshedpur, he said over telephone from Kiriburu, would have been an ideal venue for conducting training sessions during monsoon. "First, the facilities are top-class and Jamshedpur and is nearer, barely 140km from Kiriburu," Sonkusare added.

Tata Steel sports department officials had earlier asked the academy to arrange for food, while it would take care of accommodation of the cadets during their stay in Jamshedpur. "We were very optimistic, but now things have come to a standstill," the senior SAIL official, who is also the co-ordinator of the Eklavya cradle, said.

Sonkusare added they had also approached Sports Authority of India's Jaipur unit. "I have sent a request to SAI authorities and awaiting a reply. We want our trainees to practice in Jaipur for at least two months (August and September). We are keeping our fingers crossed," he said.

Eklavya cradle's mentor Rajendra Guinya said as a last resort they could use a newly-constructed shed at Kiriburu for holding practice sessions.

"We have constructed a 50-metre shed at our cradle and would use it for conducting practice sessions during showers. It is important for our cadets to remain in fine fettle for tournaments ahead. We can't afford to miss training sessions," he added.

However, Guinya hastened to add, practicing under the shed had its own share of logistical problems as the archers would often have to venture out in the open to collect arrows from target pads.

"Practice sessions for archery can be held under normal rainfall conditions, but in Kiriburu, the downpour is continuous, sometimes for days, and lasts till September-end," he pointed out.