'India's on-field show brilliant'

A doctor by profession, this Turkey-based president spoke at length about the issues concerning archery.

What are FITA's future plans?
We've been able to get archery the due recognition it deserves in many countries but now our objective is to raise the standard of the sport in those countries and bring them at par with top archery-playing nations. Our special emphasis will be on the Middle-East … I feel it can be as big a powerhouse as East Asia. By the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, we should be able to achieve that.

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India have been doing well in recent times. What role does FITA envisage for the country at the world level?
Well, I think India have been brilliant as the on-field performances in the past two years go. I think the Archery Association of India will have to become very active to develop a base at least in South Asia. I believe the formation of the South Asian Archery Federation (SAAF) should help matters. I also hope India find a proper archery venue in the near future.

There was some tension during the Asian Archery Federation's (AAF) presidential elections…
Well, I can't form an opinion on that for the simple reason that it is AAF's internal matter and all that needs to be sorted out through deliberations. Regarding reports about money and investment playing a role in the elections that appeared in your paper, I would say that there is nothing wrong with that. Korea are a superpower and they have been instrumental in raising the level of the sport - through investment in coaches, techniques, equipment -- ever since USA fizzled out. I think if a Korean automobile company head has been elected, it should help provided he works in conjunction with others.

What about FITA's investment programme?
This time we have been able to invest 2.5 million into the sport, which is up by $ one million from last year. I foresee a further raise in the budget outlay.