The Seventh Cherukuri Volga, Lenin Memorial Mini-National Junior Archery Championship and the 37th Junior National Archery Championship, under the aegis of Andhra Pradesh Archery Association (APAA), began at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium (IGMC) in the city on Tuesday.

City Police Commissioner AB Venkateswara Rao, who inaugurated the tournament, lauded the Archery Academy for churning out national and international archers by providing excellent coaching to the budding archers. He also appreciated the Archery Association for spotting and encouraging budding archery talent. Rao asked Traffic ACP S Srinivasa Rao to acquire a compound bow and target board for the policemen for a diversion from their routine, which helps them increase their work efficiency.

About 1,200 archers from 20 states are participating in the tournament, which will be on till December 25.
Accommodation has been provided to the archers participating in the tournament at the stadium, Fun Times Club, Dandamudi Rajagopala Rao Municipal Indoor Stadium and Exhibition Society Hall. Doordarshan will telecast the tournament live.

MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, Mayor Koneru Sridhar, Municipal Commissioner C Hari Kiran, VMC Traffic and Sports Committee chairman Ch Gandhi, State Archery Association president M Himavanth, secretary Ch Satyanarayana, Krishna District Olympic Association secretary KP Rao and other members of the association were present at the inauguration ceremony.