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Published on February 27, 2008

The three-day event, which will feature athletes from 19 countries, will serve as a good opportunity for archers to gain ranking points in their chase for slots in the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Australia, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, the Philippines, Vietnam, Qatar and hosts Thailand will be represented at the meet.

The Thai assault will be led by Narissara Thinbua, who handed the Kingdom their lone gold in the women's compound event last year.

However, the presence of elite archers from South Korea, Japan, India and Indonesia, would dim the hosts' chances this year.

The last time Yamamoto competed at the Hua Mark Range he had to be content with a bronze. The Japanese archer is tipped to make his mark this time.

The opening ceremony was held yesterday at the archery range, with General Yutthasak Sasiprapa, chairman of the Olympic Committee of Thailand, and Dr Ugur Erdener, head of the International Archery Federation, presiding.

Asian Archery Fede-ration chairman Chung Euisun and National Archery Association of Thailand president Sang-uan Kosawintha were also present at the ceremony.

Four gold medals are up for grabs today in the men's and women's recurve and compound shoot-outs.

Last year, South Korea captured the overall crown, while the hosts finished fifth, with two medals, including the lone gold from Narissara.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation