Needs two months to get back rhythm: Jayanta Talukdar

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: He has set new target and it is to book a berth in the Indian squad for the next Olympics. Jayanta Talukdar, the ace archer of the country, in an exclusive interview with The Sentinel, also reveals that it is the high time to start an archery academy in Assam. Here is the excerpt:

The Sentinel (TS): What is the impact of lockdown on you?

Jayanta: (With laugh) It looks like that the weight of the bow has suddenly increased. Whenever I take the bow in my hand a question comes in my mind - whether I was really associated with this game before the lockdown was imposed!!

(TS): Have you started practice?

Jayanta: No. Just doing shadow practice at home. Our formal training will possibly start from the third week of June. We need at least two months to hold the bow and balance it properly. After that the practice would start in full swing. However now I am working to improve the fitness.

(TS): What about your plan for the Olympics trial !

Jayanta: In the men's category India will send three-member team to Tokyo Olympics. Before the lockdown I was in good touch and was one of the contenders for the squad. Now we have to start from the beginning again. I will try my best to book a spot through good performance in the open trial.

(TS): How do you see the future of archery in Assam?

Jayanta: Look, we have talent. But you can't go too far depending on the talent only. You have to arrange proper training for them. Proper training means everything. The archer should get good practice arena, coaches and equipment along with trainer, nutritionist, physiotherapist etc. Only then you can expect proper development because all sports are now controlled by science.

(TS): That means you want to say that Assam need an exclusive academy for archery...

Jayanta: Exactly. It is the high time to start an academy. If you see the states which are dominating in this game you will notice that all are running academies and archers are coming out from there. Sports Department of Assam can take initiative in this regard and start an archery academy. I assure you that they would get good dividend because we have good talent in this game.

(TS): Do you have any plan to start an academy in Assam?

Jayanta: Yes, I am very much interested to run an academy in the state. It always heart me when I sit and think that as a player I haven't able to contribute anything to my state. So it would be nice if I can produce some international archers from my state. If I get the facilities to run an academy in Assam I am ready to start it.

Also Read: Morning Bulletin | 12th June, 2020