The 11th China Qinghai International Ethnic Traditional Archery Elite Tournament concluded in Gangcha county of Qinghai province, bringing together nearly 1,000 archers from 88 teams representing nine countries.

Among the participants was the Crescent Archery Club (TCAC) from Pakistan, competing alongside archers from China, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and other nations, Gwadar Pro reported on Monday.

The tournament was guided by the Chinese Archery Association and organized by the Qinghai Provincial Sports Bureau, the Haibei Zang Autonomous Prefecture government and the Qinghai Provincial Sports Federation.

The event featured eight competitive categories, with participants ranging in age from 10 to 60.

Qinghai province is widely regarded as one of the best preserved regions in China for traditional archery.

The region’s diverse ethnic groups, including Han, Zang, Mongol, Hui and Tu communities, have long maintained archery traditions spanning centuries.

Gangcha County, located on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake, has hosted the international tournament for 4 consecutive years, making it the highest-profile international brand event in China’s ethnic traditional archery circle.

This year’s tournament introduced dedicated youth competition categories to nurture the next generation of traditional archers. The opening ceremony featured horse parades, traditional Zang costume shows and folk music performances, celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Representing Pakistan in the tournament were Syed Khaliq Shah and Zakir Ali from the Crescent Archery Club.

Both archers are students at Southeast University in China, pursuing their academic studies alongside their passion for traditional archery.

Pakistan itself has a rich archery heritage - the centuries-old traditional Pashtun archery sport known as “Mukha” has been played for generations, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Syed Khaliq Shah was playing in his third tournament. “The tournament is not only about competition; it is a celebration of heritage,” he said. “Each time I return to Gangcha, I discover something new: my growth extends beyond techniques to encompass the warmth of the people, the beauty of Qinghai Lake, and the vibrant traditions that surround this event.”

The tournament exemplifies China’s respect for ethnic minority cultural traditions and its commitment to international sports exchanges.“

Archery, a sport with rich historical traditions in both China and Pakistan, provides a natural bridge for mutual understanding and friendship.” said the two athletes who expressed pride in their performances and reaffirmed their commitment to participating in future editions.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China