Ch’garh State-level 19th shooting ch’ship inaugurated

Raipur, Feb 28:
Higher Education, Sports, and Youth Development Minister Umesh Nandkumar Patel today said that encouraging the players of the state is his government’s top priority. He said that efforts are being made to provide world class facilities to sportspersons so that they can illuminate the name of Chhattisgarh at the national and international level.
Patel was speaking today after inaugurating the 19th State Level Shooting Championship, organized under joint aegis of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), a company led by renowned Industrialist Naveen Jindal and the Chhattisgarh State Rifle Association at Mana Shooting Range of Chhattisgarh Armed Security Forces 4th Battalion. He said that Sports Academy Raipur is being operated, where hostel facilities are also being considered. For the talent of rural areas, three Gram practice schemes have been started in each Gram Panchayat.
He congratulated the youngsters who came to the shooting championship and said that his government will make every effort to encourage them. Mr. Patel said that under the Khelo India scheme, multi-purpose indoor halls are being constructed at Ambikapur at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore and artificial athletic track at Mahasamund at a cost of Rs 6.6 crore. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, the government is committed to provide international level facilities to the players.
The state level 19th shooting Championship covers 50 m, 10 m and 25 m rifle pistol competitions for women, men and different age groups to be held till 6 March.
The contestants, who score the desired points as per the norms set by the National Rifle Association of India, will be selected for the East Zone Shooting Championships to be held in West Bengal from 11 to 14 March.
The shooters, who qualify the East Zone Shooting Championship, will be selected for the National Shooting Championship, which will be held in the month of April.
The state level shooting championship is being organized since the year 2002 and many talents of Chhattisgarh have got the opportunity to move forward. On this occasion, the President of JSPL, Pradeep Tandon said that his company is striving for the development of the youth of Chhattisgarh through the shooting championship. Mr. Arvind Tagai, Plant Head of JSPL, Mr. Rakesh Gupta, Secretary General of Rifle Association, Ravinder Sharma, Suryoday Dubey were also present on the occasion.