Traditional Turkish archery thrives in Singapore, bridging cultures

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - A club dedicated to Turkish-Asian-style traditional archery is drawing a diverse range of students and gaining popularity in Singapore, its founder said Tuesday.

The Traditional Archers Singapore, founded in 2011, aims to introduce traditional archery to the island nation and offers a unique way for Singaporeans to relieve stress, said Alfyan Ariff.

Former Türkiye Scholarships recipient Syafiq Mardi, who specializes in Ottoman-Southeast Asian relations and is a member of the club, said the club has become a popular way for people of all ages to unwind.

"We have about 70 students from various age groups and ethnic backgrounds," said Mardi. "Our participants come from various backgrounds which include Singaporean Chinese, Malay and Indians together with other foreigners living in Singapore, and their age group ranges from 7-year-old children to adults in their 40s."

Mardi believes the training has raised awareness of the type of archery in Singapore. He said students trained at the club have competed in international tournaments, including the 2024 Conquest Cup Archery Tournament in Türkiye, and they achieved notable rankings in some competitions.

“Students here not only learn archery but also develop an interest in other aspects of Turkish culture, such as learning the Turkish language and history,” added Mardi.

- Operational challenges

The club practices using traditional bows without arrow rests or sights, and natural material arrows, focusing on instinctive shooting accuracy, says Fachruddin Dzaki, the club’s secretary.

They face operational challenges, however, due to the lack of suitable outdoor training spaces in the "fast-paced city,” he said. "We train in a modern archery facility where the furthest distance is only 30 meters.”

Mardi said the club wants to strengthen diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Singapore and noted members recently visited the Turkish Embassy in Singapore and met Ambassador Mehmet Burcin Gonenli, who expressed support for the activities.

The club is also working to establish itself as an association promoting Turkish history, culture and cuisine, he added.

"We continue to strive in the appreciation, practice, and research of traditional archery in Singapore," said Mardi. He added they are confident that the history of the art, which was forgotten during British colonial rule and with the introduction of modern archery, will one day be recognized.