NRAP expected to accomplish its mission

KARACHI: National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) is the only sports body in Pakistan whose declared mission is to win an Olympic medal.

NRAP has officially declared: “The mission of NRAP is to promote and develop the Shooting sport in Pakistan and win an Olympic medal for Pakistan.”

Three shooters for the first time in the history of the sport directly qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

Now, the real test of the shooters will begin from July 25 when Gulfam Joseph will compete in the 10meter air pistol event.

Ghulam Mustafa Bashir and Khalil Akhtar will show their mettle on August 1-2 in 25meter rapid fire pistol event. M Iqbal and Abdur Rashid contested in the 25meter rapid fire pistol event in 1960 and 1964 Games, respectively.

Iqbal scored 501 points to secure 55th position in Rome and Rashid scored 538 points to take 49th position.

In the Rio Olympics 2016, Ghulam Mustafa Bashir got entry on an invitation place and he scored 571 points to secure 18th place. Bashir’s record in Rio gives him an edge and Khalil’s best score (586 points) makes him the best shooter in the said event.

The chances for medals for NRAP are quite bright. Pakistan’s shooters have been participating regularly in Olympics since 2000, but they have not yet won any medal.

The shooters have been impressive as they won various medals in the Asian Shooting Championships, Commonwealth Games and South Asian Games.

Pakistani shooters won five gold, five silver and 11 bronze medals in the 10th South Asian Games held in Colombo in 2006.

They won one silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006.

Pakistani shooters won five gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals in the 4th South Asian Shooting Championship held in 2008 in Islamabad.

Pakistani shooters won five silver and three bronze medals in the 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka in 2010.

Pakistani shooters won 13 medals (9 silver and 4 bronze) in 12th South Asian Games in 2016 in India.