The Golden Shot
![13606096631044613296535425703913808593200189n Freedom Group](https://cdn.freedom-group.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/136060966_3104461329653542_5703913808593200189_n-686x1024.jpg)
The North Cyprus Archery Federation members aim for a bullseye during a competition.
It’s a sport that appeals to all age groups; the youngest participant was 11-year-old Camay Selkan. The archers can use modern carbon bows, which Robin Hood would not recognize, or the more traditional wooden weapon, to score points by shooting at dummy animals. (No wildlife was harmed in the creation of this post!).
The bow (and associated paraphernalia) has long held cultural significance among the Turkish people. The early Khans adopted the bow as a symbol of authority and would send messages to other rulers wrapped around an arrow bearing the Identification mark of the Khan.
As firearms took over as weapons of war, the bow and arrow survived as sporting challenges, with competitors awarded for both length of shot and accuracy. This century has seen a revival of interest, boosted in part by the success of TV costume dramas featuring events from the history of the Ottoman Empire.
![13584783131044629296533827987346901113233783n Freedom Group](https://cdn.freedom-group.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/135847831_3104462929653382_7987346901113233783_n-1024x725.jpg)
![13633532931044641963199222304911983868260101n Freedom Group](https://cdn.freedom-group.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/136335329_3104464196319922_2304911983868260101_n-654x1024.jpg)
![13557087731044638029866282570668024453187096n Freedom Group](https://cdn.freedom-group.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/135570877_3104463802986628_2570668024453187096_n-1024x648.jpg)
![13571175031044671063196315624227471446509109n Freedom Group](https://cdn.freedom-group.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/135711750_3104467106319631_5624227471446509109_n-760x1024.jpg)
This new popularity has led to the formation of archery clubs throughout North Cyprus, where you can shoot just for fun, or aim for competition standard. One such club is at the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) where trainer Iraz Yücesoylu is also the head of the national team.
![13605061431044674996529254212419876012262256n Freedom Group](https://cdn.freedom-group.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/136050614_3104467499652925_4212419876012262256_n-1024x659.jpg)
Some of the bigger hotels, such as the Kaya Artemis Resort in Bafra, also offer lessons for locals and holidaymakers.