Fiji Archery will use the Commonwealth Youth Games to try and qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

This is the first time Fiji competes in archery in the Commonwealth Youth Games. It starts in Samoa this weekend.

Fiji Archery section manager and coach, Robert Elder said their aim was qualifying for Rio.

“This is a stepping stone for us,” Elder said. “The next Rio qualification will be the Oceania Continental Qualifier in Tonga next April and there will be countries like Australia, New Zealand and from the Pacific Islands trying to qualify for two spots and we are hoping that Fiji gets a men’s and women’s spot there.

“This Commonwealth Youth Games is important for us.”

Elder said one of their biggest challenges was attracting Fijians to play the sport.

“Archery is a very expensive sport. The equipment is more expensive than golf. For Fiji, where finance is a problem, it’s hard getting proper equipment because for one person, you are paying almost $4000 for a set of equipment.

“We are hoping that the Commonwealth Youth Games will open doors to interested men and women to join archery.”

Marilyn Elder, 15, is the lone Fijian archer in the Samoa Games. She competes in the Women’s 60 metre event.

The Games start on Friday and end on September 11. Team Fiji leave on Friday.

Feedback: justine.mannan@fijisun.com.fj