Shooting events may be held concurrently

KARACHI: National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) is considering simultaneously holding youth/junior championship in North and South regions of the country.

“Shooters in youth and junior categories may face issues in traveling for our annual air weapon championship, so we are considering this option,” said NRAP secretary Javed S Lodhi.

Talking to this scribe on the sidelines of the ongoing 5th National Youth/Junior Air Weapon Shooting Championship at PNS Karsaz here, Lodhi said they would propose this in the next Annual General Meeting of NRAP.

He added that younger athletes usually were not allowed by their parents to travel far for competitions. Besides, examinations also made it difficult for them to travel. “This proposal will hopefully get approval in the next AGM or Executive Committee Meeting of the association. This would help us as our focus is on promoting shooting at youth and junior levels,” said Lodhi.

It would, he added, increase participation for this annual event. “The NRAP academy was established many years back to promote shooting sports in youth and it has been successful,” said Lodhi.

“Minhal Sohail who is representing Pakistan at Rio Olympics is a proud product of this academy. There are many young talented shooters who have potential to excel at the international level,” said Lodhi.

He said the academy’s Fatima Aftab and Nubaira Babur were among the eight finalists at the recent edition of the Children of Asia International Sports Games at Yakutsk, Sakha Repulic Yakutia, Russia.

Both got 5th positions in Air Rifle and Air Pistol categories, respectively.  Balochistan and PAF are not participating in this championship in which over 200 athletes from Army, Navy, Sindh, and KP are competing for 16 gold medals.

Pakistan Navy has the biggest contingent with around 64 athletes. The first edition of this event was held in 2012. Navy have won all four previous championships.