In a novel initiative, 30 students of the A.P Social Welfare Residential Schools (APSWRS) below 15 years of age will take part in a month of intensive coaching at the Sports Authority of A.P (SAAP) shooting range located on the University of Hyderabad campus here.
“The whole idea was conceived APSWRS Secretary R. S. Praveen Kumar in coordination with Sports Officer Mannan. The objective is to put these kids (15 boys and 15 girls) in the shooting camp under the supervision of SAAP coach Govind Rao, and at the end of it, to pick the best for long-term training by moving them from the districts to the APSWRS in the vicinity,” explains V.V.S. Lakshmi, coordinator for the project.
“Since, our students have been doing well in some select disciplines like volleyball, football, hockey in recent past, we decided this time around to encourage those interested in shooting,” says Ms. Lakshmi. Alex Francis, administrator at the shooting range, says that the best part of the concept was that the APSWRS is spending Rs.3,000 on each trainee.
“We are providing the guns and the ammunition for the month-long training. The talented lot will be identified from these APSWRS trainees, who are going through the grind with young shooters from other schools here. Later, they will be put through intensive coaching,” he says.
For the likes of N. Navya and Anne Aaishitha, it is already been a “thrilling experience” to shoot in these ranges.
“I read a lot about Gagan Narang (2012 London Olympics bronze medallist) and was inspired by his feats. One day, I would love to be a big-time shooter,” says a shy but determined Aaishitha.
SAAP too has purchased four India-made rifles, besides 100 boxes of pellets – each one costing about Rs.550 – to ensure that the young shooters remain on target.
“It is just the beginning of many initiatives which we love to put in place in future to ensure optimum use of the shooting ranges,” said Mr. Francis.
