Challenge is to adjust to windy conditions: Limba Ram

Kolkata: As the Indian archers gave final touches to their preparations for the Olympic Games, national coach Limba Ram on Saturday said the challenge lies in acclimatise to the windy conditions in London.

Few of the archers also visited Kalighat temple early this morning to take the divine blessings as they leave for London tomorrow morning. Talking to the reporters on the eve of their departure at their training ground SAI Eastern Centre, the coach said Jayant Talukdar, Rahul Banerjee and Tarundeep Rai, as well as women archers Deepika Kumari, Laishram Bombayla Devi and Chekrovolu Swuro have bright chances in the two team events. "The weather will be different in London from here, so all of them will have to adjust to weather very fast. The humidity is also less. It means chances of muscle cramps will be less there. However, the adjustment with the wind will be a vital factor in London," Ram, a three-time Olympian, said. Though Koreans are always the team to beat, Limba feels hosts Britain along with inform USA would also give stiff fights. "The first target is to figure among top four in the ranking rounds so that we will get byes to the quarters directly. A gold medal will then be three wins away, while we will be assured of a medal after getting past two," he added. India have never won an Olympic medal in archery, while this is the first time after Athens 2004 Olympics the country will have representation in all the four events. The squad boasts of reigning world no 1 Deepika who will lead the women`s challenge, while the experience of Athens Olympian Rai and Beijing Games-returned Bombayla would come in handy. Deepika`s Olympic campaign also got a fresh boost as Tata Steel today announced that the world no 1 archer has joined them as manager in the company`s sports department. Indian teams` sponsors Sahara meanwhile announced cash award between Rs 30-40 lakh if any team could return with gold medal from London. PTI