The young group belonged to a BMC school in the Worli area and was being ushered into target practice at the Maharashtra Rifle Association's (MRA) shooting range in Worli, in June this year. The move was part of a programme initiated by the MRA to introduce shooting as a sport across civic schools in Mumbai to spot talent for national and international level representation.
Nearly five months since and some students have %shown potential, having bagged two golds and three %silvers at a recent district-level competition.
"The only time I held a gun was at a fair where I deflated a balloon," said a wide-eyed 14-year old during a practice session at the range. "I'm very good at football," added Neha Yadav, a Class VII student. "I've struck many goals. Shooting is looking at a new kind of goal," she said. A Class VIII student, Sandhya Devendar, offered a different perspective for what made the sport attractive to her. "I intend to join the police force. This opportunity will stand me in good stead," she said.
"Whether it's playing with marbles or using a catapult, kids love taking aim. At its most fundamental level, shooting is all about maintaining steady aim; a sport not so much of str8ength as much as of skill. Many young people have it but don't know it," %said Sheila Kanungo, officiating president of the MRA, herself an in8t8ernatio8nal level sharp sh8ooter and Commonwealth medalist.
While a rough course of action has been drawn up, including initial costs to be borne by the MRA, future blanks would be filled in based on the emergence of shooting prospects. "Each student shoots once a week at the MRA range as part of physical education in school," said Suresh Sawant, BMC schools' junior supervisor, physical education department. "Wrestler Sushil Kumar, who shone at the London Olympics last year, was from a BMC school. We hope this initiative, too, brings more ta8lent to the fore," Sawant added.
But why the need to look for talent? Doesn't the MRA have its own base of shooters? "Those that enjoy shooting find their way to the MRA. This is a conscious effort on our part to step out and spot talent," Kanungo said. The long-term focus would be to pare down the groups, from Class VII to Class X, to a bunch of 5-10 shooters-a process that could take a year. "Selection is based on criteria such as balance, coordination and the ability to shoot within the same cluster, consistently," Kanungo added.
Aside from competitive victory, the sport opens up careers in the armed forces with access to government jobs as well. "Regardless of the competitive outcome, having access to a sport, considered elitist by many, is empowering," Kanungo said.
Her thought resonateswith 14-year-old Amjad Firoz Shaikh. "Shooting is a different experience. In that moment when I see my target, I know I'm competing, but only with myself," he says. The young gun then lifts an air pistol, adjusts his stance and savouring that lone moment, fires.
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