From 26 to 29 January 2026, the Pakistan Sports Board Complex, Islamabad, became the center of competitive archery as Shaheen Archery Club successfully hosted the 2nd Shaheen Archery Cup 2026. Building upon the foundation laid by the inaugural 2024 edition, this year’s championship marked a significant step forward for open, merit-based archery competition in Pakistan.
An Open Championship for the Entire Nation
The Shaheen Archery Cup 2026 was conducted as a fully open championship, welcoming both individual archers and official teams from across Pakistan.
A total of 120 registered archers competed, representing five major teams:
- Punjab
- Islamabad
- Sindh
- Customs
- Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)
This open format ensured that every archer, regardless of affiliation, had a fair opportunity to compete and demonstrate skill on a national platform.
Competition Categories
The event featured five competitive categories, covering both senior and youth divisions:
- Barebow Men
- Barebow Women
- Recurve Men
- Recurve Women
- Recurve Under-15 Boys
- Recurve Under-15 Girls
These categories ensured inclusivity across age groups and disciplines, reflecting the growing diversity of archery in Pakistan.
Event Structure and Match Progression
26 January – Practice Day
The opening day was dedicated to official practice. Archers from all regions gathered at the Pakistan Sports Board range to shoot practice ends, acclimatize to conditions, and prepare for competition.
27 January – Recurve Elimination & Quarter finals
The second day marked the beginning of high-intensity competition, with elimination rounds and quarterfinals for recurve categories.
28 January – Pakistan’s First Barebow Championship
A historic milestone was achieved with the Pakistan Barebow Championship 2026, conducted in collaboration with the Pakistan Barebow Association.
All barebow elimination rounds, quarterfinals, and finals were completed on the same day, followed by the medal and prize distribution ceremony.
29 January – Recurve Finals & Team Matches
The final day featured recurve individual finals and team matches, culminating in the main prize distribution ceremony at approximately 2:00 PM.
Saad bin Abi Waqqas Open Arrows Competition
As a special post-event segment, the Saad bin Abi Waqqas Open Arrows Competition was held on 29 January 2026, as a special post-event segment, inspired by the legacy of the great Sahabi and archer.
After the conclusion of the main championship:
- All non-podium archers present were invited to participate
- Each archer shot three ends
- The top three performers were awarded on-the-spot cash prizes
A total prize pool of PKR 50,000 was distributed. This Competition served as a celebration of participation, sportsmanship, and the enduring spirit of archery within the Shaheen Archery community.
Funding, Support, and Operations
The Shaheen Archery Cup 2026 was made possible through over PKR 1 million in funding, with IMARAT serving as the primary sponsor. Approximately PKR 1,000,000 was allocated toward:
- Prize money for winners
- Support staff compensation
- Volunteer appreciation
Operational and security support was provided by:
- ASFF (Airport Security Force Foundation, Islamabad)
- Shaheen Archery Staff
Community Engagement & Hospitality
To enhance the event experience:
- Maryam Hostels operated a biryani food stall during the first three days
- On the final day, biryani was served to participants, parents, and attendees by the Shaheen Archery team
- A continuous tea stall by Best Western Hotel, Islamabad operated throughout the event
These efforts fostered a welcoming and community-driven atmosphere for athletes and families alike.
Significance of the Shaheen Archery Cup
Beyond competition, the Shaheen Archery Cup 2026 stood as a statement for transparency and meritocracy in Pakistani archery.
By offering a truly open platform which was free from favoritism, politics, or closed selection, the event challenged long-standing norms and reaffirmed that performance, discipline, and consistency are the true measures of an archer.
With two successful editions completed, the Shaheen Archery Cup has established itself as a credible national-level event that:
- Encourages fair competition
- Develops youth talent
- Strengthens barebow and recurve disciplines
- Builds trust within the archery community
Shaheen Archery remains committed to aiming beyond limitations and continuing to raise the standard of competitive archery in Pakistan.
About Shaheen Archery
Shaheen Archery is Pakistan’s leading Archery organization dedicated to developing athletes through structured coaching, open competition, and community engagement. Guided by its philosophy, “Aim Beyond,” Shaheen Archery continues to work toward raising national standards and creating meaningful opportunities for archers across the country.
