Archery in the Faroe Islands: Inspired by the Island Games

When the Faroe Islands hosted the Island Games in 1989, archery was not yet an established sport in the country. But when other islands announced they would be bringing archers to the Games, the Faroese were determined to ensure the sport was represented locally too. That determination became the starting point of Faroese archery.

Starting from scratch

With no archery clubs or proper facilities, a small group of enthusiasts in Tórshavn founded the club Tambar in 1988. They borrowed equipment from a local disability sports organization and trained in a school gym—late in the evenings and early on Sunday mornings.

The early efforts were driven by passionate volunteers, including Mogens Egholm, who had tried archery while studying in Denmark.

Support from Denmark

To help prepare for the Island Games, the Faroese reached out to Elmar Abrahamsen, a Faroese-born Paralympic world champion in archery who had settled in Denmark.

Despite having a physical disability from childhood, Elmar had achieved remarkable success in the sport and agreed to come to the Faroes to guide the fledgling team. His knowledge and experience were invaluable.

The 1989 Island Games debut

Three Faroese archers—Mogens Egholm, Klæmint Skarðhamar, and Páll Hansen—took part in the 1989 Games. Although medals were not expected, their participation helped raise awareness of archery in the Faroe Islands.

Páll Hansen’s 10th place overall showed early potential.

Growing success

In the following years, archery in the Faroes began to grow. A second club, Ørvur, was founded in 1991, and results started to improve.

The first Faroese Island Games medal in archery—a bronze—came in 1991, and in 1995 Sigrid Vang won the first gold.

International recognition

In 1997, the Faroe Islands gained membership in World Archery (FITA), which opened the door for Faroese archers to compete internationally in European and World Championships.

A lasting legacy

By 2007, at the Island Games in Rhodes, the Faroese archery team achieved its greatest success to date, winning 13 out of a possible 22 medals.

The team dedicated their performance to Mogens Egholm, who had passed away shortly before the Games. His contribution to the sport—both as an archer and as a coach—had been immense.

Today, archery is a well-established sport in the Faroe Islands, with four clubs and regular participation in international competitions. And it all began with a wish to be part of the Island Games.