Dimapur | December 27: It was in the winter of 1994, when 13-year-old Chekrovolu Swuro from Dzulhami village, Phek district first laid her hands on one of the oldest sport in the world- Archery! Fast Forward to winter of 2011 and the young girl has grown up to be the lone successful women Naga archer. And it all began when the same young girl aspired to have her name printed in the newspaper just like her elder sister, Vesuzolu S. Vadeo, a former national archer.
Chekrovolu Swuro has already received recognition for her commitment and hard labor. She is a member in the Indian Women Archery Team. It was the medal winning performance at the World Championships in Turin, Italy that made everyone take notice of her.
Scheduled to represent India at the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games, she will be the second Naga athlete to participate in the Olympics after a gap of 64 years. The first Naga Olympian was legendry Dr. T. Ao who captained the Indian football team in 1948. The Morung Express caught up with Swuro, who was busy in a photo shoot for a Voter’s Campaign.
“I am what I am today because of my sister,” says the shy and reserved Chekrovolu Swuro. 1999 was the year she became a professional archer -participating in the Asian Grand Prix at Bangkok. The team missed winning Gold by a point and instead came back home with Silver in tow.
Archery as a sport is difficult she shares. “Everyone has a God given talent and to take it as a sport you need hard work. Nagas are educated and you do not need to put hard work. But sports require hard work. Many are into sports but not everyone thinks of pursuing it professionally.
Proving this, Swuro reveals that on “off season” she and her team practices four times a day. But during competition season, practice gets narrowed down to two times a day. This she says is because, technique is spoiled and she believes in quality shooting. She also says that one has to be mentally strong for the game of archery and possess a positive outlook. However, she maintains that over confidence is never really a plus point.
Swuro is serving as Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Nagaland Police. She remains steadfast in her humble upbringing and rubbishes the question if her newfound success has affected her personally in any way. Laughing she says, “It is a God given talent. I have come this far because of God. Also Nagas have supported me through their well wishes and prayers. I have come this far and been successful because of your prayers.” She also expressed her gratitude to the Government of Nagaland who she claims has been helping a lot and also ‘individuals’ who have always backed her endeavors.
Leaving a message for the youths of Nagaland, Swuro said “Whatever you do, it is not gonna be easy. Hard work will always pay off. Without it, nothing is possible. Give your full heart in whatever you do. Then success will find your way.”
Swuro has set her target to bring home the Gold from the 2012 London Olympics. This she reveals is her goal. She also has a long list of international competitions on the line. On January, she will be competing in the Sinar National Archery Competition at Jharkand, and then on February she might participate at the Asian Grand Prix to be held at Bangkok. From March, onwards she will also participate at World Cup Archery Championship Stage I at Shanghai, China, World Cup Archery Championship Stage II at Antalya (Turkey), World Cup Archery Championship Stage III Ogden, UT, USA and several others.
Further displaying the gift of archery in the family intact, Chekrovolu Swuro’s younger brother Thipovoyi Swuro has been recognized and acclaimed to be one of the most talented archers in India with the potential to become one of the best archer in the world. The Swuro family is indeed a fine example to many athletes in Nagaland and elsewhere. Of determination, hard work, and perseverance! At a time when young Nagas are in great need for role models, Chekrovolu Swuro’s consistency, discipline, commitment, dedication and sincerity to her profession has created a new pathway for younger Nagas to follow.
