Over 1600 shooters participate in All India G.V. Mavlankar shooting championship

Jalandhar, Dec 10 (ANI): After the success of ace shooter Abhinav Bindra in Beijing Olympics more than 1600 shooters are taking part in the 18th All India G.V. Mavlankar Shooting Championship being held in Punjab state.

The championship holds a great significance for the shooters who wish to qualify for the National Shooting Championships.

The shooting championship, which started on December 7 at Punjab Armed Police (PAP) shooting range Jalandhar, under the aegis of the National Rifle Association and Punjab Rifle Shooting Association, will conclude on December 16.

During the ten-day tournament, the shooters will be competing in 79 events for 71 medals. Participants who get minimum score of 75 percent would be eligible for participating in the National Shooting Championship.

According to the participating shooters, since the day Abhinav Bindra has won gold medal in the Olympics, the sport has developed much craze among young generation.

"I started shooting after Rathore ji (Olympic's silver medallist, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore) won the medal in Olympics. After Abhinav Bindra, we believe that the scope of shooting has increased. Earlier we used to do normal practice but now we have started putting extra efforts with a hope to do something for India," said Ravi Kumar, a participant.

However, some participants were of the opinion that it's an expensive game and needs huge financial support from the government.

"There is a huge scope in shooting in comparison to other games but the government gives less support. Because it's an expensive game so it requires more financial assistance," said Shivani Rana, another participant.Rajan Gupta, Additional General of Police, Punjab Armed Police admitted that the sport is very expensive and government should help the sport by subsidising weapons.

"Weapons don't come for less than two lakhs and ammunition, that's going to cost you a lot. Besides that, dresses are compulsory. Government can help in provision of erecting more ranges or in subsidising the purchase of weapons, which have to be imported from outside," Gupta added. (ANI)