Archer Anil Lohar can look forward to shooting with a sophisticated compound bow and make progress in his career, as Union tribal affairs minister and president of the Archery Association of India (AAI) Arjun Munda has made a recommendation to the state art, sports and youth affairs department to provide a compound bow to Lohar.

In his letter to the sports secretary, Munda said that Lohar is a state and national level medallist and a talented and hardworking archer, and recommended to provide him equipment due to his poor economic condition.

Lohar, a resident of Pinderabera village in Gamharia block of Seraikela-Kharsawan district, had met Munda, a former chief minister, and requested for a compound bow.

“I met Mundaji in Jamshedpur some days back and apprised him of my problems, requesting him to arrange a bow for me,” the 23-year-old said.

“I intend to switch over to the compound division which is globally acceptable. I am an Indian round (shooting with traditional bow and arrow) archer but I find no future in it. I am very thankful to Mundaji for taking up my case with the sports department,” Lohar said.

A compound bow costs around Rs 2.5 lakh.

“I thought of saving Rs 50-60 daily by selling chicken near a turnaround of my village and also borrow money from my acquaintances. But I think it is not possible and would also take a long time,” Lohar said.

“I have resumed training with my traditional bow at a ground near my village. I need to keep myself fit. Competitions will begin once the coronavirus-related situation improves. I am also doing yoga and meditation at home,” the archer said.

Though Munda could not be contacted, AAI joint secretary Sumanta Mohanty said he had gone through the Telegraph Online report, which highlighted Lohar’s plight.

“Mundaji has earlier helped a Seraikela archer get a compound bow from the state government. I am optimistic that the government would show the same gesture towards Lohar,” Mohanty,who also secretary of Seraikela-Kharsawan Archery Association, said.

The archer, who lives with his wife, infant son and elderly father, is digging a well in his courtyard in Pinderabera, a village facing an acute water crisis.

“I have dug about 23 ft and am still on the job. I also met the Gamharia BDO who has promised help. I am continuing to sell chicken since I have no alternate source of income,” Lohar said.