Archers from five South Asian countries India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and hosts Bangladesh will take part in the first ever meet in four events -- Re-curve bow, FITA Round, Olympic and Team events.

"Our main target of holding the international tournament is to prepare the Bangladeshi archers for the upcoming SA Games in Sri Lanka," said Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed, general secretary of Bangladesh Archery Association (BAA) at a press conference yesterday.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan will inaugurate the four-day meet as chief guest.

Rajib informed that Channel I will telecast the inaugural programme live from BKSP.

India are rated as top favourites, followed by Bhutan.

Sponsors Banglalink will provide Tk 16 lakh, fifty per cent of the estimated budget of Tk 32 lakh. The rest of the amount will be procured from the National Sports Council and other sources.

The Bangladesh men's team comprises with Noor-E-Alam, Sanwar Hossain, Rubel Hossain and Syed Tanvir Raihan while Nasrin Khanam Happy, Aumi Chakma, Rina Chakma and Khadiza Mustari Maheen will represent the women's side.