Indian shooters assemble for Kumar Surendra Shooting C'ship

With the fifth national selection trials also scheduled concurrently, it will be serious business for shooters to retain their places in the national squad.

The shooters will assemble at the Dr. Karni Singh Range, Tughalakabad. (representative image)

It is once again a veritable festival as the entire fraternity assembles for the 19th Kumar Surendra Shooting Championship at the Dr. Karni Singh Range, Tughalakabad.

After nine relays spread over two days, the men’s, juniors and youth air rifle finals will be held on Tuesday evening.

With the fifth national selection trials also scheduled concurrently, it will be serious business for shooters to retain their places in the national squad with good performances, or try and get into the team by improving their average scores.

At the 50-metre range, it will be women’s rifle 3-position event, with the finals scheduled for the evening on Teusday, for both the women and the juniors.

After the selection trial in air rifle, there will be the mixed air rifle events on Friday. It may be noted that India has been dominant in the mixed teams events in the World Cups, and need to keep sharpening its efficiency to stand a good chance for the medals in the
event in Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

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Despite considerable exposure in the international circuit for the shooters, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has ensured adequate competition and selection trial matches at home to ensure continuity for the shooters. The world class scores and the fact that India has been able to top the medals table in all the three World Cups this season in rifle and pistol is ample testimony to the efficacy of the system.

Kumar Surendra Singh was the president of the NRAI and guided the sport with great vision. It was during his tenure that the first Commonwealth Shooting championship was held at the Dr. Karni Singh Range in 1995. Later, this championship became the testing ground for Indian shooters to strike the best medals in the Commonwealth Games,
which in turn formed the foundation for strong performances in the Asian Games, World Championships and the Olympics.

For Indian shooting, quality begins at home, and the domestic structure which is respected and appreciated by all the shooters, has strengthened the foundation for the champions to blossom on the world stage.

There will be many impressive performances in the championship which is scheduled to go on till July 1, mainly because of the selection trials that follow each event.