The high point of the stellar Indian outing at the shooting World Cup in Mexico was the performance of junior shooters. To address the increasing concerns over their transition, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has chalked out a plan to fund the promising shooters.
"In the past, a large number of shooters who were a little uncomfortable transiting from juniors to seniors. So, for a two-year period, we are trying to put them into a separate category and give them all the funding that is required for training and they will be coached by the senior coaches also. That would make them comfortable before the new batch becomes ready to take over. So it will be a continuous process," said selection committee member Morad Ali Khan, during a felicitation function which was attended by Anjum Moudgil, Shahzar Rizvi, and Ravi Kumar.
"We are looking at four shooters per event, so, for now, there are 64 shooters, as the events also keep changing. We will be beginning it from the next nationals," he added.
India had topped the medals list at the World Cup in their best performance that included four gold, one silver and three bronze. Rizvi, Manu Bhaker, Akhil Sheoran and Om Prakash Mitharval brought home the gold medals while Anjum bagged a silver. Mehuli Ghosh, Jitu Rai and Ravi Kumar won bronze medals.
Junior national pistol coach Jaspal Rana supported the programme but felt money given to the sportspersons should be monitored.
"There are a lot of kids who can't come to that senior level. That one or two years can destroy their careers. They should be given all the facilities and whatever money is given should be accountable and they should monitor it," he said.
"Discipline is key for junior shooters. They will go up and down, they are just 14-15 years old. My job is to protect them."
'Support shooting'
The future of shooting as a CWG sport has come under a cloud in recent times. Shooting is considered "optional sport" by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). While it denies having scrapped it in the 2022 edition, the fact remains its inclusion hinges on the preference of the host city.
Indian has a strong shooting record in the CWG and Rana called for a strong action by the government on the issue. "The government has to fight for that, not us. Because if they keep moving the events in which we are good at, that is not good for the country. Boycott the competition, don't shoot in the Commonwealth Games, China did not shoot in four Olympics and when they came back they made a clean sweep," said Rana.
Looking at the upcoming Commonwealth Games, Rana said: "Commonwealth Games is important but the competition is less there, so we will be competing with our own shooters there."