LAWAS: Lawas may soon be the first in the state to have an outdoor archery range.

The state government will consider the Lawas Archery Association’s application for such a facility, and the latter has been tasked to identify a site suitable for hosting not only local but also major tournaments.

Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said this while officiating at the opening of 5th Sarawak Indoor Archery Competition at Lawas Indoor Stadium yesterday.

He gave the assurance in view of the Lawas Archery Association’s contributions to the sports at the state, national and international levels. Archery is Asian and Olympics Games event.

The Lawas Archery Association preceded the current Sarawak Archery Association, and its secretary Chong Yap Pin is an international juror for Asia in the sport.

Tengah pointed out that Lawas had also produced several archers to represent the state and country in national and international competitions apart from Sukma.

“I understand the association have to look for a suitable venue every time they want to hold competitions. I will help them set up an outdoor archery range,” he said to the applause of those present.

Teams taking in the indoor championship include those from the National Sports Council, Sabah, Limbang and Lawas.

Earlier, Chong said Lawas was a pioneer of archery and its development in the state, and the Lawas Archery Association was one of two in East Malaysia to have held indoor competitions.

Officials in Lawas were among the most experienced in judging and organising archery competitions in the country, he noted.

He hoped competitions could also be held in the other towns and looked forward to the Sarawak Outdoor Archery Competition either in Kuching and Miri in May next year.

Also present at the function were Lawas member of parliament Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Bukit Kota state assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Lawas District Officer Mohd Supaih Hamdan, Temengong Sabli Hamid and others.