Usman hopes to win medal at CW Games

KARACHI: Usman Chand, considered the country’s best skeet shooter, is hoping to win a medal this time at Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 2018.

“I have prepared myself to the extent that I am hoping for a medal this time,” said Usman while talking to ‘The News’. “Last time in 2014 I wasn’t lucky to win any medal but this time I’m banking on my preparations,” he said.

He added that he scored 120 twice this time both in rehearsals and championship during the National 3rd Clay Shooting Championships recently. “This score gives me hope that I will do something special at the Games as well,” said Usman.

He said that he had left no stone unturned and did more than enough practice, yet one more time in March before the Games he would get practice at National Shooting Championships. Meanwhile, National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) has announced the shooting team for Commonwealth Games.

The team has Usman Chand (Skeet), Ghufran Adil (10m Air Rifle), Aamer lqbal (Trap & Double Trap), Farrukh Nadeem (Trap & Double Trap), and Khalil Akhtar (25m Rapid Fire Pistol). The women’s team comprises Minhal Sohail (10m Air Rifle) and Mehwish Farhan (10m Air Pistol).

The officials are Lt Col Junaid Waqas lqbal (manager) and Razi Ahmed Khan (coach). The reserve athletes are Kaleem Ullah (10m Air Pistol & 50m Pistol) and Aqsa Ghufran (10m Air Rifle).

According to NRAP secretary general Razi Ahmed Khan, a series of trials were held during the last three months to select the national team. “After the final trials, all the three members of the NRAP Selection Committee were asked to give their recommendations,” said Razi.

The secretary stated that rifle and pistol shooters are required to report at PN Shooting Range Karsaz Karachi on February 21 with their arms and ammunition for training camp. The shotgun shooters may continue their training at their own ranges.