Author: Sudneendra Tripathi
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: April 2, 2006
Introduction: Without either government or
corporate support, Shivaji Park gets a high-tech range
The spirit of revolution smoulders beneath
the foundation of this sea-facing building.
Named after the legendary revolutionary, the
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Air Rifle Club at Shivaji Park has come up with a
coup of sorts.
Thanks to the largesse of the shooting fraternity
and the Savarkar Samarak Trust, the club collected Rs 20 lakh to fund an international
standard state of-the-art shooting range.
It's an initiative that is inspired by the
Melbourne Games gold rush and one that is in total contrast to the usual tale
of players and officials waiting endlessly for government aid or corporate
help to pursue their dreams.
In existence since 1988, the range got a modern
makeover thanks to the efforts of Savarkar's grandson Ranjeet.
The new-look range now has a German-imported
automatic target changing system, a fully air-conditioned nine-lane shooting
range plus an infra-red bullet-trajectory monitor.
There is also a spacious classroom with a
blackboard that takes care of the theoretical aspect of the sport.
"The sport has witnessed tremendous growth
in the country. But sadly, upgrading infrastructure has been totally ignored.
And that's exactly the reason we decided to something on our own," says
Ranjeet.
While Ranjeet took care of the financial aspect,
multiple national champion and chief coach of the range Vishwajit Shinde ensured
that the funds were utilised judiciously.
The 36-year-old Western Railway employee,
who has against his name as many as six national records, feels Indian shooters
are increasingly being respected and feared at international competitions
and should be provided the best of facilities.
"There's an abundance of talent in the
country. If we complement talent with good infrastructure, results are bound
to show. We hope the Maharashtra Rifle Association (MRA) picks a leaf from
our book and goes for a revamp of their range," Shinde says.
His sentiments are echoed by rifle shooter
Suma Shirur, who has to her credit the distinction of equalling the world
mark in the 10-metre air rifle shooting during the Asian Shooting Championship
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
"The sport is growing in popularity.
The range at MRA is in shambles. They really nee to act on it fast,"
she says.
"They should learn a lesson or two from
the people behind the Savarkar range. It's a marvel created with limited resources."
Secretary of the MRA Ashok Pandit admits that
the Savarkar range meets international standards but adds that the state body
too is looking to revamp its range.
"We (the MRA) are going to demolish and
reconstruct the range. We have submitted a plan to the municipal commissioner
and have got an assurance that the project will be given top priority,"
Pandit says.
It's not just international stars like Shirur but even next-generation shooters
like 13-year-old Minit Shah who hail the new facility at Shivaji Park.
"I used to train at the MRA range, but
ever since this range has been revamped, I've shifted base," says Shah,
who took to the sport a year ago.
sudhir.tripathi@expressindia.com
