Two induction trials may well give Golden boy Gora Ho an opportunity to enter the world of recurve archery.
The 15-year Indian round archer (shooting with traditional bows and arrows) is looking forward to induction trials of Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur and the one to be conducted by SAIL's Eklavya cradle in Kiriburu (West Singhbhum).
The one in Jamshedpur is tentatively scheduled in September while SAIL is hosting the trials next month.
Enjoying a summer break at his home in Rajnagar in Seraikela-Kharsawan, Ho is hopeful of getting entry into any one of the cradles.
" Puri koshish karunga ki mera chayan ho jayen. Mein bahut ache lai mein hu (Will try my best for getting selected. I am in good form)," Ho, who won gold at the just concluded Birsa Munda archery championship in Bokaro, said over phone from his village.
With form in his side and the Seraikela-Kharsawan District Administration backing him to the hilt, the prodigious archer will line up to shoot during the trials with pepped up confidence.
The tribal boy, who is familiar with bagging yellow medals, is presently a cadet of Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC), a sports institute of Bihar Regiment in Danapur, is keen to switch over to the globally more acceptable recurve division for stitching out a career.
Mentor B.S. Rao said the two upcoming induction trials in Jamshedpur and Kiriburu was important for Ho.
"My ward has the qualities of becoming a good recurve archer. Both the Jamshedpur and Kiriburu cradles produce quality archers, some of whom also get jobs during their training stint itself. Moreover, a selection will mean Ho can chart new vistas and eventually become an international-level archer," he explained.
Rao said he was not putting any pressure on Ho and wants him to shoot with a free mind during the induction trials. "I am aware about his qualities as an archer. He is a cool-headed boy who rarely misses the target. But recurve archery is a different ball game. The bow is heavier and the target long (70m). I would like him to shoot with a recurve bow before the trials," the mentor added.
Ho slotted home 12 medals - 11 gold and one silver - in mini, sub-junior and junior boys age section at the 11th Jharkhand State Archery Championship held in Jamshedpur in December last year. He is the current mini and junior national champion.
Volleyball tourney
Ranchi district volleyball association on Wednesday announced to hold three-day district meet from June 13 onwards. Vishwajeet Nandi, an official of the outfit, said that the matches would be held at Ranchi University's volleyball court in the morning and evening. Exact scheduling of the matches, however, is yet to be worked out which will be done after the registration process that will begin from Thursday.
