First-ever National Para Shooting Championship 2020-21 for Rifle/Pistol events organized by STC Shooting under the aegis of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) from March 1st to 5th, 2021 was inaugurated today at the Manav Rachna Shooting Range, Faridabad, Haryana. Around 200 shooters from different parts of India are participating in the competition.

Sushil Kumar, India’s most decorated wrestler who has won consecutive Olympic medals was the Chief Guest for the day. Dr. Amit Bhalla, VP, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions was the Guest of Honour. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the august presence of Dr. Deepa Malik, President-Paralympic Committee of India. She is a recipient of the five prestigious President of India Awards including the Padma Shri & Arjuna Award. She has also been conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. Also present during the ceremony were Mr. Gursharan Singh, Secretary General, PCI; Mr. Ashok Bedi, Assistant Secretary, PCI; Mr. Rahul Swami, Chief Administrator, PCI; Mr. J.P. Nautiyal, Chairperson, PCI; Mr. Subhash Rana, National Coach for Indian Para Shooting Team; Mr. Sarkar Talwar, Director-Sports, MREI and other senior dignitaries from Manav Rachna and PCI.

Inaugural shot was fired by Sushil Kumar at the 10-meter shooting range at Manav Rachna Shooting Academy.

During the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Deepa Malik said, “Such championships highlight the fact that Para Sports are also the mainstream sports and this National Championship will send this message to everyone in the country”. 

Congratulating the players, Dr. Amit Bhalla shared, “We wish to create a sports ecosystem for everyone to play, and represent the country in different sports.”

Owing to its world-class Olympic-level shooting infrastructure, Manav Rachna has been chosen to host this prestigious championship: Nine Olympians are currently training/studying with Manav Rachna, 7000+ budding shooters are training across 13 shooting ranges, Shotgun shooting range for Trap, Double Trap, Sporting and Skeel, and country’s only Perazzi lounge housed within the Shooting Range. It is also noteworthy that the Hon’ble Union Minister for Sports Sh. Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the first-of its kind 25 mtr and 50 mtr convertible shooting range at the Manav Rachna campus recently. This is among the most advanced shooting facility not available anywhere across Delhi NCR. The range is both electronic and manual with 10 lanes each. Equipped with SUIS ASCOR electronic targets and 0.22 weapons, the range is open for all (including beginners).