Odisha Tata Archery High Performance Centre in Keonjhar: Grooming India’s Next Generation Archers

Keonjhar, February 03, 2026: As arrows cut through the morning air in Sankarpur, at the Odisha Tata Archery High Performance Centre (OTAPHC), Keonjhar, they carry the hopes and determination of young athletes whose lives are being reshaped by sport. OTAPHC, situated in Odisha’s Keonjhar district, is rapidly becoming a pivotal institution for aspiring archers from the state’s heartland.

A joint initiative of the Government of Odisha and Tata Steel, the centre began with 24 cadets (12 boys and 12 girls), offering world‑class infrastructure, modern equipment, and expert coaching. Over time, it has evolved far beyond a training facility. It now stands as a transformative ecosystem that consistently nurtures raw talent—particularly from rural and tribal communities—into high‑performing athletes.

For Arjun Khara, the journey to the shooting line began far from any sporting arena. Born in a remote, Naxal‑affected village in Malkangiri district, Arjun grew up amidst financial hardships, long river crossings, and limited access to basic facilities. As the son of a farmer, perseverance became second nature. His selection into OTAPHC in 2024 marked a turning point. Structured training and professional mentorship propelled his rapid progress, and today he proudly represents Odisha at the national level. He competes in events such as the Senior National Archery Championship, National Games, and NTPC National Ranking Tournaments. His dream is clear: to represent India on the international stage.

Arjun says, “Being a tribal, I have always been fascinated by archery. My instinct, along with the facilities available here, has helped me excel in this field. My aim is to win medals for India at the Olympics.”

Speaking on the remarkable progress, Mukul Vinayak Choudhury, Chief, Sports, Tata Steel says, “The Odisha Tata Archery High Performance Centre represents our commitment to nurturing grassroots sporting talent and transforming it into national excellence. The achievements of these young archers in such a short span reaffirm our belief that with the right infrastructure, coaching, and support, Odisha can produce champions who will shine on the international stage.”

Equally inspiring is the journey of Sita Hembram from Jajpur district. Orphaned at a young age after losing her parents and brother, Sita took on responsibilities far beyond her years. Determined to secure a better future for her younger sister, she appeared for trials at the Keonjhar centre and earned her place. Since joining OTAPHC in 2024, archery has given her direction and purpose. She has already made her mark at the state level, winning medals at the Odisha State Inter School Archery Championship 2025, and now sets her sights even higher.

Sita echoes Arjun’s sentiment. “I had no knowledge of archery before joining this academy. But over the past year, I have learned the technical skills that helped me earn accolades for my state and country. I thank Tata Steel for this facility, and I am sure it will help many budding talents excel in the future.”

According to Bikash Upadhya, Coach at the Academy, “The training provided here has been a game‑changer, enabling children from across the state to excel in the sport. The dedication and passion of the cadets have resulted in several medals, and we remain committed to nurturing even more young talent.”

Recently, Bhagobat Baliarsingh and Monalisa Nayak of the academy won gold medals in the Under‑15 Boys and Girls Recurve and Compound rounds, respectively, at the Odisha State Archery Tournament 2025 held in Cuttack on December 27–28.

Similarly, Sunita Naik and Sabitri Patra won bronze

in team events at 45th NTPC Junior National Archery Championship held at Raipur, Chhattisgarh on 22-30 December, 2025. At national level, this is the first ever medal in the history of Odisha.

Also, both Savitri and Sunita secured silver and bronze in the Team Event at the 69th National School Games 2025–26 held this month in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

In last 22 months, the centre has achieved 20 state and national medals including 8 gold, 8 silver and 4 bronze medals.

The centre currently has 17 cadets, including four from outside Odisha (three from Rajasthan and one from Uttar Pradesh). The compound category was introduced this year (2025). In future, the centre plans to expand its reach by setting up grassroots centres across Odisha to improve the number of cadets and nurture more young talent.

The centre’s early achievements clearly underscore its growing impact. Within just twenty two months, fourteen national-level players and national medallists have emerged. At the state level, OTAPHC archers have consistently delivered strong medal performances, reflecting both depth of talent and the discipline instilled through the programme.