Bindra: Humbled to receive highest honour of ISSF

The Chairman of the Athletes Committee of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), Abhinav Bindra, expressed joy about receiving the President’s Button and the Diploma of Honour, during the ongoing Asia Olympic qualifying competition in the Indian capital.

Abhinav Bindra (right) is congratulated by the ISSF president Olegario Vasquez Rana, after Bindra was presented the President's Button and Diploma of Honour.

The Chairman of the Athletes Committee of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), Abhinav Bindra, expressed joy about receiving the President’s Button and the Diploma of Honour, during the ongoing Asia Olympic qualifying competition in the Indian capital.

Back to his training base in Germany, the former World and Olympic champion, the 33-year-old Bindra said that it was a humbling experience to be bestowed the highest honour by the ISSF president, Olegario Vazquez Rana. “I was very humbled to receive the highest honour of the ISSF. It feels very special to be acknowledged from within the shooting family’’, Bindra said when contacted in Germany.

Deeply humbled and honored to be awarded the >@ISSF_Shooting Presidents Button - the highest honour of the ISSF. 1/2 >pic.twitter.com/4nNwKWbCZL

— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) >January 28, 2016

The Diploma of Honour mentioned that Bindra was being awarded the President’s Button, 'in appreciation for his outstanding career as an athlete and role model in the shooting sport'.

Quite active for the cause of the sport both at the national and international level, Bindra said that he would continue to make meaningful contribution. “I have tried to do my best as the athletes committee chairman and will do my best to work for the athletes and shooting,” said Bindra.

2/2 It has been an endeavor to work for the athletes and will continue to work for them and the shooting sports. >pic.twitter.com/aFt2y5g0Gz

— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) >January 28, 2016

After having watched the Olympic quota place race at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Tughlakabad till Friday when India bagged three berths on the first three days, Bindra was surprised that the quotas had dried up owing to ‘near misses’ for the last two days. “Let us hope for the best,” Bindra said, quite appreciative of the added stress on the Indian shooters, who have the onerous task of competing for the Olympic spot at home, in front of family, friends and officials.

Bindra is one of the 11 Indian shooters who have won the Olympic quota for Rio so far.