Ranchi played proud host on Monday, October 26, as Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren attended the closing ceremony of the 15th All India Police Archery Competition — a national gathering that drew more than 400 police personnel from teams across India to compete in multiple archery disciplines.

Jharkhand's third time as host of a competition it claims to have originated

Soren expressed deep pride in the occasion, writing in Hindi: 'यह झारखंड के लिए विशेष अवसर है कि जिस प्रतिष्ठित प्रतियोगिता की शुरुआत हमारे राज्य से हुई, उसकी मेजबानी का सौभाग्य हमें तीसरी बार प्राप्त हुआ' ('This is a special occasion for Jharkhand — the prestigious competition that began from our state has now been hosted by us for the third time'). The claim underscores how deeply the state identifies with this particular national event among the uniformed services.

The competition drew teams from multiple states, with participants competing across several archery disciplines. Medals and prizes were distributed at the closing ceremony, which Soren used as a platform to salute the dual identity of the competitors — law-enforcement officers by duty, athletes by dedication.

A salute to officers who carry a bow alongside a badge

The Chief Minister directed pointed words at the assembled personnel: 'You all play an important role in the security and service of the country. Your dedication to sport, discipline, and outstanding performance amid demanding responsibilities is truly inspiring.' He added that the medals won on the day were a symbol of the athletes' hard work, talent, and 'unbreakable enthusiasm.'

The Indian police forces have long used inter-state competitions — across disciplines from shooting to athletics — as a structured way to maintain physical conditioning, sharpen inter-force bonds, and cultivate discipline beyond the barracks. A national archery championship sits neatly within that tradition, particularly meaningful in Jharkhand, a state with deep cultural and sporting roots in the sport.

Soren extended formal congratulations to Jharkhand Police officers and staff for successfully organising the national event, and offered his signature closing — 'जोहार!' — the traditional Jharkhandí greeting and salutation that the Chief Minister regularly uses to close public addresses.

With the 15th edition concluded in Ranchi, attention now turns to which state will carry the baton for the 16th — and whether Jharkhand will build on this moment to announce any new infrastructure or policy support for sports within its police forces.