Tribal Archers Win 150 Golds Using Ancient Forest Skills

What happens when a survival skill passed down for generations meets modern sports training? In Khammam, India, the answer is 150 national gold medals and counting.

For the Koya and Gond tribal communities in Telangana's Khammam district, learning to use a bow and arrow has never been about sport. For centuries, children watched their elders hunt and protect their families in the forest, absorbing the skill naturally before they could even read.

Today, that traditional knowledge is creating champions. Khammam has become Telangana's archery powerhouse, with the highest concentration of training centers in the state and a remarkable track record of turning tribal children into national medalists.

The transformation didn't happen by accident. P Shankaraiah, a retired sports officer and secretary of the Khammam District Archery Association, has spent decades traveling to remote tribal villages to find young talent. His approach recognizes what many miss: these children don't start from zero.

"Many tribal children are naturally comfortable with the bow and arrow because they have grown up watching elders use it," coaches explain. Formal training builds on instincts that already feel like second nature, creating a powerful foundation for competitive success.

The results speak for themselves. G Morappa became the first international archery medalist from the region. Aniga Durgaiah set national records and claimed gold at the All India University Archery Meet. Karam Kanakaiah represented India at the 2010 World Archery Meet, proving local talent can shine on the global stage.

This summer, 400 students are training at archery camps across the district through a network of Sports Schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, and two Khelo India Centres. The newest generation includes E Avanthika and K Lohitha Sri, both selected to represent Telangana at national championships.

The Ripple Effect

Khammam's success is creating opportunities that extend far beyond medals. Young archers are gaining access to education, scholarships, and career paths that might otherwise remain out of reach. Entire communities are watching their children compete at national levels, proving that traditional knowledge holds value in the modern world.

Shankaraiah is already looking toward 2036, when India hopes to host the Olympics. "To reach Olympic standards, a child requires at least 10 years of continuous training, discipline, physical fitness and mental strength," he notes. The students training today could be India's Olympic archers tomorrow.

In Khammam, the bow and arrow never stopped being relevant; they just found a new purpose.