30 international archers from seven countries: Hungary, China, Hong Kong, India, Great Britain, the Philippines, and Malaysia joined the BIHAF 2024
The Bario International Historical Archery Festival (BIHAF) 2024 concluded with outstanding success, bringing together archers, cultural enthusiasts, and spectators from around the globe. This year’s festival, held in the picturesque highlands of Bario, attracted over 30 international archers from seven countries: Hungary, China, Hong Kong, India, Great Britain, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The self-funded festival underscored the immense potential of eco-sports tourism, significantly benefiting and boosting local economies.
Pemanca Callena Lallang Sakai expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am profoundly grateful to witness so many talented archers here. This is a historic moment for Bario, marking the first time such an event has taken place in our community. It fills us with immense pride and joy.”
All the archers shooting their arrows at the competition
Roland Csaki, Vice President of HDH International Archery Association, added, “Bario is a captivating and magical location. We are deeply honored to be here, witnessing a remarkable convergence of talent, tradition, and cultural exchange. This festival has truly showcased the spirit of archery and the rich heritage of Bario.”
In a historic first, BIHAF 2024 featured blowpipe shooters and archers competing together within the same team, with blowpipes having their own category under the HDH International Archery Association (HDHIAA) rules for historical archery. The blowpipers of Bario demonstrated impressive skill, competing at par with international professional archers. This innovative integration promotes inclusivity, showcasing the unique advantage of blowpipes in the dense forests of Bario, often surpassing the effectiveness of the bow and arrow.
Blowpipe shooters in BIHAF 2024
Malik Madang, a Bario blowpipe participant, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “Participating in an international competition has been incredibly rewarding. As a practitioner of the blowpipe, we have long aspired to elevate this traditional practice into the mainstream sports arena or, at the very least, establish it as an ethnosport. We are excited about joining the archers in bringing our blowpipe tradition to the world stage.”
Hikmatyar Idjilani, the BIHAF 2024 Champion from the Philippines said, “Praise be to God for this remarkable achievement. I am truly honored to receive this award and feel incredibly welcomed here in Bario. The competition was challenging, and by God’s grace, I managed to emerge as the champion. This victory is a testament to the spirit of archery and the warm hospitality of Bario.”
Additionally, the festival marked the appointment of two new national judges: Ahmad Alrafaie (Malaysia) and Kelvin Cheng Yee Hong (Hong Kong). Both gentlemen achieved the highest level of competency and honor, being recognized as National Judges.
The festival not only showcased the incredible skills of the archers but also celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Bario. It promoted mutual respect and understanding among participants from diverse backgrounds, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. The success of BIHAF 2024 highlights the potential of sports tourism in promoting cultural exchange and sustainable economic growth in rural communities.
