Archery Academy: Tata Entry

The Tata Archery Academy (TAA) is a residential centre of excellence in Jamshedpur, established by Tata Steel in October 1996 to train archers in a scientific manner and help them compete at national and international levels. The academy is open to both girls and boys and provides the highest quality of infrastructure, coaches, and support staff. The selection process involves assessing athletes on their physical ability, including sharpness of vision, strength of arms, shoulder muscles, and mental agility. The TAA also has feeder, satellite, and training centres to build a pipeline of talent, with the pathway to the academy opening at age 14.

Tata Archery Academy's history and location

The Tata Archery Academy (TAA) was established in October 1996 by Tata Steel in Jamshedpur, India. At the time, there was no template for archery academies in the country. The residential centre of excellence was set up to train archers in a scientific manner, with a focus on honing the inherent talent for archery in the large tribal population of the Jharkhand-Odisha belt. The academy is located within the JRD Tata Sports Complex, which also includes an 8-lane synthetic track, international-size swimming pool, boxing centre, skating area, basketball court, handball ground, lawn tennis court, volleyball court, table tennis hall, chess centre, and adventure sports facilities.

The TAA provides its cadets with high-quality infrastructure, top coaches, and support staff, including strength and conditioning coaches, sports psychologists, sports physiotherapists, nutritionists, and masseurs. The average equipment expenditure is Rs 3.5 lakh per cadet annually. The academy also works closely with state and national bodies to provide young archers with the best professional opportunities. Since its inception, the TAA has trained over 120 cadets, many of whom have gone on to represent India at various levels. Notable alumni include Deepika Kumari, Komalika Bari, Ankita Bhakat, and Atanu Das.

The TAA sits at the apex of an archery ecosystem that includes feeder, satellite, and training centres covering all areas of Tata Steel's operations. These centres play a crucial role in building a talent pool for the academy and enhancing the communities in the process. The feeder centres are run in collaboration with the Tata Steel Foundation in remote areas like Jamadoba, West Bokaro, and Noamundi, which are mining locations of the company. The satellite centres are managed by Indian Steel and Wire Products Ltd (IWSP), a Tata Steel subsidiary. The training centre is based at the JRD Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. Together, these centres train up to 335 archers between the ages of 9 and 14, with the pathway to the academy opening at age 14.

The academy's training and selection process

The Tata Archery Academy (TAA) is a residential centre of excellence that was established in October 1996 by Tata Steel to train archers in a scientific manner and help them compete at national and international levels. The academy is based in Jamshedpur and functions out of the JRD Tata Sports Complex, which has floodlit ranges for training at night.

The TAA is part of an archery ecosystem that includes feeder, satellite, and training centres. The feeder centres are run by the Tata Steel Foundation in far-flung areas like Jamadoba, West Bokaro, and Noamundi, which are mining locations of the company. The satellite centres are run by Indian Steel and Wire Products Ltd (IWSP), a Tata Steel subsidiary, while the training centre is located at the JRD Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. These centres train archers between the ages of 9 and 14, and the pathway to the academy opens at age 14.

The TAA scouts for talent at sub-junior and mini tournaments at the national level, which have been likened to the Ranji Trophy of cricket. The academy also invites archers from its feeder and satellite centres to participate in open trials for entry. The selection process is based on merit and includes assessments of physical ability, such as shoulder strength and the way they pull their string. However, potential is also an important factor in the selection process.

Once selected, cadets at the TAA receive the highest quality of infrastructure, equipment, and training from award-winning coaches. They are provided with support staff such as strength and conditioning coaches, sports psychologists, sports physiotherapists, nutritionists, and masseurs. The academy also works with state and national bodies to provide professional opportunities for the young archers. The average equipment expenditure is Rs 3.5 lakh per cadet every year.

The TAA has produced several top archers, including Deepika Kumari, Komalika Bari, Ankita Bhakat, and Atanu Das. In total, eight cadets have represented India at the Olympics, 156 have played at the national level, and 53 internationally. The academy has also produced Padma Shri and Arjuna Award recipients.

The benefits of joining the academy

The Tata Archery Academy (TAA) is a residential centre of excellence that offers a wide range of benefits to its cadets. Here are some of the key advantages of joining the academy:

High-Quality Infrastructure and Equipment:

TAA provides its cadets with access to world-class infrastructure, including an archery ground, training facilities, and the best equipment. The academy invests significantly in its facilities to ensure that cadets have the best resources available to develop their skills.

Expert Coaching and Support Staff:

Cadets at TAA receive guidance from skilled and award-winning coaches, including Arjuna awardees and Dronacharya awardees. The academy also provides a comprehensive support system with strength and conditioning coaches, sports psychologists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and masseurs. This holistic approach ensures that cadets receive the guidance and care needed to excel in their sport.

Education and Values:

Recognising that not all cadets come from privileged backgrounds, TAA prioritises education alongside athletic development. The academy provides formal education and instils values to empower cadets with the confidence to face the world. This holistic approach equips them with skills for both their sporting careers and future endeavours.

Professional Opportunities:

TAA actively works with state and national bodies to create professional opportunities for its cadets. In a country where sports often take a back seat to survival, this support is invaluable. The academy's connections and partnerships enhance the chances of its cadets to pursue their dreams and represent India on the world stage.

Grassroots Development:

TAA sits at the apex of a grassroots archery ecosystem, including feeder, satellite, and training centres. This system identifies and nurtures talent from a young age, providing them with the necessary skills and exposure to transition into the academy. The grassroots programme broadens the pool of talent and positively impacts the communities involved.

Nurturing Talent:

The selection process at TAA goes beyond mere scores and performance metrics. Coaches look for potential and are committed to nurturing talent, even in the remotest locations. This approach ensures that talented individuals are given a chance to shine, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Olympic and World Championship Success:

TAA has an impressive track record of producing world-class archers. Over the years, its cadets have represented India at the Olympics, won numerous international and national medals, and received prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award. The academy's focus on holistic development and continuous improvement sets its cadets up for success on the world stage.

The academy's feeder centres

The Tata Archery Academy (TAA) is the apex of an archery ecosystem that starts at the grassroots with feeder, satellite, and training centres. The feeder centres are run in far-flung areas like Jamadoba, West Bokaro, and Noamundi—the company's mining locations—in collaboration with the Tata Steel Foundation. The satellite centres are run by Indian Steel and Wire Products Ltd (IWSP), a Tata Steel subsidiary, while the training centre is located at the JRD Sports Complex in Jamshedpur.

The feeder centres train up to 335 archers from 9 to 14 years old at any given point in time. The pathway to the academy opens at age 14. The feeder centres host regular tournaments that provide exposure to students and are invited to Jamshedpur to participate in exchange programmes.

Each Tata Steel Feeder Centre recruits 20 cadets each for training in athletics, archery, and football annually. The objective is to prepare local youth for induction into national sports academies, including the Tata Football Academy and the Tata Archery Academy.

Madhumita Kumari, who won a silver medal in archery at the 2018 Asian Games, started her journey in the sport at a Tata Steel Feeder Centre in 2007. She cleared the first level of the selection process and was invited to a week-long camp organised by Tata Steel, after which she received a call for entry to the Tata Steel Feeder Centre in West Bokaro. Madhumita trained at the feeder centre for around nine months before moving on to the Birsa Munda Archery Academy in Ranchi.

The academy's notable alumni

The Tata Archery Academy has produced many notable alumni over the years, including several world champions and Olympic archers. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

• Deepika Kumari: Arjuna Awardee, Padma Shri recipient, and two-time Recurve World No. 1. Deepika Kumari is one of the most successful alumni of the Tata Archery Academy. She has represented India at the Olympics and has won numerous medals at the World Championships and Archery World Cup. She is also a former cadet of the academy.
• Komalika Bari: Under-21 Recurve World Champion and Recurve World No. 1. Komalika Bari is another outstanding product of the Tata Archery Academy. She became the recurve World No. 1 in 2012 while still a cadet and regained the top position in 2021. She has also won several gold medals at the Archery World Cup.
• Ankita Bhakat: Ankita Bhakat, along with Komalika Bari, was selected to represent India at the World Championship. They were able to continue their training at the academy during the pandemic, and their hard work paid off with outstanding performances at the international level.
• Atanu Das: Arjuna Awardee and Recurve Mixed Team Gold Medallist at the Archery World Cup in 2021. Atanu Das is a former cadet of the academy and has represented India at the Olympics. He has also won several other medals at national and international competitions.
• Madhumita Kumari: Madhumita Kumari is an Asian Games silver medallist. She was part of the Indian compound archery team that won the silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Her journey in archery began at a young age when selectors from Tata Steel's feeder centres invited students from her school to sign up for training.
• Dola Banerjee: Arjuna Awardee and Women's Recurve World Champion in 2007. Dola Banerjee is another notable alumna of the Tata Archery Academy. She has represented India at the highest level and inspired many young archers.
• Jayant Talukdar: Arjuna Awardee and one of the top archers produced by the academy. Jayant Talukdar has represented India in various competitions and is known for his excellent technique and precision.
• Rahul Banerjee: Arjuna Awardee and a highly skilled archer. Rahul Banerjee has achieved success at both national and international levels, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.
• Chkrovolo Swouro: Arjun Awardee and a talented archer who has represented India proudly. Chkrovolo Swouro's achievements demonstrate the academy's ability to nurture and develop raw talent into world-class athletes.

These notable alumni are a testament to the Tata Archery Academy's commitment to excellence and its ability to identify, nurture, and develop young talent. Their success on the world stage inspires the next generation of archers and brings pride to the academy and the country.

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