Paris Olympics 2024: Indian archery team SWOT analysis
Indian archery is making a remarkable comeback at the Paris 2024 Olympics, featuring a complete lineup of six archers for the first time in 12 years.
The team, featuring Dhiraj Bommadevara, Pravin Jadhav, Tarundeep Rai, Deepika Kumari, Bhajan Kaur, and Ankita Bhakat, will compete in all five categories in the Paris Olympics 2024: men's individual recurve, women's individual recurve, men's team, women's team, and mixed team.
Carrying the dreams of a nation, this ambitious Indian archery squad aims to win India’s first Olympic archery medal. However, their path to success is fraught with numerous challenges.
The archery events will commence on July 25 with the individual ranking round, preceding the Opening Ceremony by a day. The following rounds will run from July 28 to August 4 at the historic Les Invalides.
Indian Archery Team SWOT Analysis
Here’s a closer look at the Indian archery team through a SWOT analysis, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Strengths
Experienced leadership - The strength of the Indian archery team is in its experienced leadership. Veterans like Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai, each boasting three Olympic appearances, bring invaluable experience in handling high-pressure situations.
Their guidance will be crucial in setting a confident and focused tone within the team. Tarundeep Rai’s recent World Cup gold medal win, alongside teammates Pravin Jadhav and Dhiraj Bommadevara against the formidable South Koreans, further underscores their potential.
Consistency of the men's team - The dominance of the Indian archery men’s team is another significant strength. Currently ranked second in the world, their consistent performance and sharp focus, maintained by a late qualification, suggest strong podium prospects.
Additionally, for the first time in 12 years, India has secured quota places in all five archery events, including the newly introduced mixed team event. This comprehensive participation maximizes their chances for medals.
Proper training and conditioning - The team’s strategic training and mental conditioning will also play a vital role. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has invested significantly in scientific training methods, targeted mental conditioning, and domestic tournaments designed to mirror the Olympic format.
Weaknesses
No coach at Paris Olympics - Despite these strengths, the Indian archery team faces quite a number of weaknesses. A major disruption has arisen from the denial of accreditation for head coach Baek Woong Ki, a pivotal figure in the team’s development and a former coach of South Korea’s Olympic gold-winning team.
His absence could leave a significant gap in guidance and support, especially for younger archers.
The disparity in rankings between the men’s and women’s teams also poses a challenge. While the men’s team is second globally, the women’s team is ranked eighth, indicating a tougher road to medal success for the women.
Inexperienced youngsters - Balancing youth and experience is another potential weakness for the Indian archery team. Newcomers Ankita Bhakat and Bhajan Kaur will be experiencing the pressure of the Olympic stage for the first time.
While their talent is undeniable, the immense pressure of the Games could be a hurdle. Striking a balance between relying on experienced archers and nurturing the potential of younger talents will be key.
Deepika Kumari’s consistency is also a concern. Despite her critical role in the team, past struggles with nerves at major tournaments raise questions about her ability to maintain performance under pressure.
Opportunities
Confidence from World Cup gold medal - The Indian archery team has several opportunities to capitalize on. The men’s team’s recent World Cup gold medal win against South Korea has boosted their confidence and provided a psychological edge. This momentum can be channelled into achieving peak performance at the Olympics.
Mixed team well in line for a medal - The possibility of securing India’s first Olympic medal in archery is a significant opportunity. The full team's participation in all events, including the mixed team event, enhances their chances of creating history.
The mixed team event presents a particularly exciting opportunity to bring home a medal. A strong showing by Deepika Kumari and members of the men’s team could translate into success in this category.
Threats
South Korea's dominance - However, the path to success is not without threats. Established archery powerhouses like South Korea have a long history of dominance. To challenge them for gold, India must be at its absolute best.
Injuries and no backup - Injury concerns are another threat to the Indian archery contingent. Any setback to key archers, such as Deepika Kumari or a member of the men’s team, could significantly derail India’s medal aspirations. Maintaining peak fitness and effective injury prevention strategies will be crucial.
Psychological pressure of the Olympics - The psychological pressure of the Olympics also looms large. Managing stress and maintaining focus is essential, especially for younger archers making their debut who can falter well on the grand stage.
Effective mental conditioning and strategies to handle nerves will be critical for peak performance.
In conclusion, the Indian archery team for Paris 2024 carries the hopes of a nation eager for its first Olympic medal in this sport. With experienced leaders, recent successes, and full team participation, they have a strong foundation.
However, overcoming coaching disruptions, managing pressure, and competing against established powerhouses will require extreme focus and strategic planning.