A week-long archery coaching course being held in Dar es Salaam is set to conclude on Friday, marking a significant step in efforts to develop the sport in Tanzania.
The course, organized by the Tanzania Archery Federation (TAF), has brought together 22 participants from different parts of the country to acquire internationally recognized coaching skills.
Speaking on the sidelines of the training, TAF Vice President Innocent Mallya said the programme is expected to strengthen the growth of archery by equipping coaches with the knowledge needed to identify and nurture talent at grassroots level.
“This inaugural archery coaches’ course is an important milestone for the sport in Tanzania. We are grateful to everyone who participated, and we hope the knowledge gained will be used to expand and develop archery across the country,” Mallya said.
TAF President Kelvin Fernandez urged participants to play a leading role in promoting modern archery techniques, noting that while archery has long existed in Tanzania in its traditional form, there is a need to embrace international standards of the sport.
“Archery is not a new activity in Tanzania. Historically, it was used for hunting and defence, but today it is a competitive sport. It is your responsibility as coaches to introduce and teach modern archery methods,” Fernandez told participants.
He said all 22 trainees are expected to receive a Level A coaching certificate recognized by the World Archery Federation, enabling them to coach both locally and internationally.
The course has been facilitated by Sri Lankan instructor Hewa Perera. Although the training officially ends on Friday, Perera is expected to remain in Tanzania for an additional week to conduct practical sessions with selected archery clubs.
The programme is the first beginner-level coaching course organized by TAF since the federation was registered by the National Sports Council (NSC) in March this year.
Archery is one of the world’s oldest sports, with origins dating back thousands of years when bows and arrows were primarily used for hunting and warfare. Over time, it evolved into a competitive discipline and is now a recognized Olympic sport practiced worldwide.
