Archer Anil Lohar’s stellar show in a national competition has finally been recognised.

The 23-year-old, who used his days spent in lockdown to dig a well on the courtyard of his home to tide over water scarcity, has received a cash award of Rs 75,000 from the state government for claiming gold in the Indian round section (shooting with traditional bows and arrows) in the senior national archery championship in Cuttack in March last year.

Lohar received the cash award three days back and has plans to buy medicines for his ailing father and spend some money to repair of his home at Pinderbera village in Gamharia block of Seraikela-Kharsawan district.

“Teen din pehle paisa mere bank khate mein aaya. Bahut khush hun. Mein apne parivar ko kisi tarah chala rahan hu (The money was deposited in my bank account four days back. I am very happy. I am somehow managing my family),” Lohar said on phone from Pinderbera, 35 km from Jamshedpur.

Lohar said he would use some of money to fund his poultry business. “Ab aachha lag rahan hain (I am feeling relieved),” he said, adding that he had stopped digging the well due to the rains. “The well I am digging is now filled with rainwater. I will wait when it dries up before resuming work,” he added.

The talented archer said he was still fetching water from a nearby government school which is closed in view of the Covid pandemic.

Lohar said sale of chicken was not much but he had to continue with it since he was without options. “I am able to sell four-five chickens a day. It’s better to do something than sit idle,” he added.

He has stated practicing with his Indian round bow at a ground near his house. “I usually train in the evening. I cannot lose touch with archery as I want to grow in the sport. I think I am shooting well,” he added.

According to him, he was still waiting for his compound bow to be given by the state sports department. “I am yet to receive the bow which I need badly since I am eager to compete in the compound section,” he added.

Union tribal affairs minister and president of Archery Association of India Arjun Munda has recommended to the sports department to arrange a compound bow for Lohar.

Seraikela-Kharsawan District Archery Association secretary Sumant Mohanty said Lohar was in urgent need of money and the cash award was a big relief for him. “He (Lohar) is a talented archer who needs support. He also needs regular practice as it takes time to get back into the groove,” he added.