By Alastair Lawson BBC correspondent in Thimphu

The government in the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is getting worried about its traditional national sport - archery.

Bhutan's Foreign Minister, Lyonpo Jigme Thinley, has expressed concern over the possibility that it could be losing out to football and basketball.

Evidence of the popularity of the two sports can clearly be seen at week-ends when soccer and basketball matches are held everywhere.

Archery tournaments are also well attended, but many of the participants and spectators are older Bhutanese.

"Its because of the advent of satellite television in our country," said Mr Thinley, "because in the past such sports were absolutely alien.

But today, Bhutanese youngsters have taken up these sports in a way that absolutely surprises me, and there is a possibility that archery is being edged out."

Fast game

Eighteen-year-old Sangay summed up the thoughts of many young Bhutanese on the sidelines of the main soccer pitch in central Thimphu.

Archery has been practised for centuries

"Most students would rather play football than archery," he says.

"I think that one of the reasons soccer has grabbed our imaginations is because we see so much of it on television.

In contrast to archery, it is a fast-moving team game which would have even more converts in Bhutan if we had better facilities."

Seventeen-year-old Lila said: "Most women my age would far rather play basketball than archery.

But that is because in general we are not strong enough to fire a bow.

I don't think it means that archery is losing the special role it occupies in Bhutanese society."

Royal patronage

One of the reasons put forward for the increasing popularity of football and basketball is the fact that the king himself is reputed to be keen on both sports.

The fondness for basketball has passed on the crown prince

Early in his reign he formed a football team out of his bodyguard, which was reputed for the smartness of its strip: a royal dragon hand stitched on each shirt.

The fondness for basketball has passed on to his son and Crown Prince, Dasho Kheshar Wangchuck, who can occasionally be seen practising in public with his friends while on holiday from Oxford University.

He is rumoured to be a fan of the American basketball player, Michael Jordan.

Concerns about the possibility of archery being undermined by other sports are not only felt by the government.

Also worried is DK Chhetri, the Secretary-General of Bhutan's Olympic Committee.

He points out that the sport has been practised in Bhutan for centuries, and is the only game, along with taekwondo, in which the kingdom stands a chance of winning some medals at the next Olympics in Greece.

Unofficial split

But in that aim, Mr Chhetri has problems.

There are not only less young archers competing for team positions, but there is also an unofficial split between those who practise the sport.

Archery in Bhutan tends to be carried out between those who use ultra modern, Olympic-standard graphite bows and those who use the traditional Bhutanese bamboo version.

"Although its a worry to me that not so many you people are playing, I don't think that the situation is that grave," he said.

"In Bhutan archery is more than a sport, its part of our cultural heritage, a festive activity deeply ingrained in our national character.

Unquestionably football and basketball are becoming more popular, but archery will always have a special place in our hearts", he said.

"It has to be remembered that while the King - as an excellent all round sportsman is keen on football and basketball, his first love is archery which has and always will remain our national sport.

Its an expression of being Bhutanese as well as a social event."