‘Every effort counts in life like how every arrow matters in archery’

She irrevocably identifies herself with Arjun, the great archer from The Mahabharat who has carved an indelible mark in the history of warriors. “Just like Arjun, I too keep my focus and target clear. I have reached a point now where nothing can hardly distract me, and let me tell you it has not come easy,” emphasises Alina Patel who studies in class IX at Apeejay School, Nerul.

This athlete had participated in the Field Archery Association of Maharashtra (FAAM) state field-indoor archery championship 2023-24 on January 5, 2024, in Kharadi, Pune where she won the Gold Medal in the individual 5-spot category in U-17 Recurve Girls.

Her love affair with archery began around one-and-a-half years back. “My association with archery goes back to the time when I was in class IV. I had to choose one sport from the sports club organised at the school. Amongst sports like cricket, football, skating, and basketball, it was archery that struck my interest,” Alina said.

“Thus, my school Apeejay played a big role in keeping that spark and perseverance going by introducing me to this sport. The school has extended immense support by approving my leaves whenever I had to go for my archery training and courses,” she added.

Alina gives a special mention to her protein and carbohydrate-rich diet that should be the norm for all sportsmen. “I have to work out daily and Sunday is the only day I am on break.”

“My home is mostly my training regimen. I use a Thera band to improvise and sharpen my archery skills. I wake up at 6:30 am and during my training, I practice shooting for around 40 -50 reps. Then I resume my normal routine of going to school, food, studying, and just before I work out again for an hour and finally hit the bed.”

The most memorable experience was the time when she won a national-level medal. “In the National Championship organised by Field Archery Association of India, I won the Gold Medal in the U-17 recurve girls’ 5-spot individual category and a Gold Medal in the U-17 recurve girls’ team category for team Maharashtra,” narrates the 15-year-old excitedly.

She concludes by hoping that archery should have a well-fortified structure in India’s sports scenario. “Though I aspire to become a doctor, I would like to clear the air of this stereotype that I might have to sacrifice this sport for my career ahead. I do not want to shut myself down from this sport. Archery has grown over me.”

“I want people to understand that sports are an integral part of life and archery should become a numero uno sport for India,” Alina said in conclusion.