Archers against the world
by: Ronalyn Alvarez- Kodanda trainer
The support provided for the archery teams is not commendable but it isn't necessarily bad, per se. In fact, the support provided by the local government of Manila during their major competitions seem to be sufficient in providing for the needs of their archers. They give the necessities such as food and equipment plus a decent amount for their allowance but, unfortunately, it isn't enough for the entire team. Their mistake comes with not considering the amount of members there is in one team. There are too many athletes to provide for, therefore making the materials they have provided for a little on the short side. If one wins major competitions such as Palarong Pambansa or the Philippine National Games, then you will be given additional equipment and more money for allowance.
Just like any other sport, archers have requirements. Financially, one needs to have a good set of equipment, whether you prefer a compound bow over a recurve bow, it has to be heavy enough for it to reach the necessary distance you are shooting in. It is also ideal for the athlete to have a good attitude towards the sport. What's the point of practicing something if you lack the motivation to become better? it is only when one truly falls in love with what they are doing, then they will learn to never be satisfied and aim higher. This time, greed is good. Of course, it is a given for an archer to be physically strong enough to handle the weight provided for them. The greater the poundage of the bow, the more difficult it is to pull but the more accurate and precise your arrows are.
Archery isn't that different from any other sport. Just like everything else, support is very important for the archer. It all starts with support from your family since they are your greatest motivation in doing everything. Although some may claim that they are trying something because they want to, most of the time, they are only trying to make themselves better in the eyes of their closest relatives. Family will always be there to cheer you on during your competitions, to help you get up once you've fallen and keep yourself from committing the same mistake twice. The government, on the other hand, are there to give you the financial support you need because not everyone has the money to practice archery. It's a known fact already that a bow is not a cheap thing.
A full set-up can amount from Php 30 000 to Php 75 000, depending on the material used to create the bow. Recurve risers and limbs made out of wood are a lot more cheaper than risers created from aluminum or aluminum-carbon. It will only be when an archer experiences the emotional pain that comes with either breaking an arrow and seeing it shatter into millions of pieces before your eyes or seeing a single scratch in your riser will they fully appreciate the importance of their equipment.
Many believe that, just because you have a nice set of equipment, you are automatically good at what you do . This also applies to the coach teaching you. Just because you have a foreign coach, let's say Korean, doesn't necessarily mean that you're suddenly a good archer. Your shot is not made by your teacher. They are just there to guide you through the process, to teach you the correct form and to be your friend when you need the comfort. In the end, it will only be the archer and, if they do not have the correct mentality, then they will not succeed.
You should be your own person in that field. You should love what you are doing, be unsatisfied by your shot because you should always set a goal for yourself. Archery is passion. You are doing it passionately and with love and effort.