New Delhi/Hyderabad: Terrorism has claimed yet another victim. And this time it is an entire community that has the potential of earning sporting laurels for India.
They are the new breed of Indian sharp shooters and they are a disillusioned lot.
Terrorist acts have inflicted as much harm to the development of shooting as a sport as it has to the country in general.
The fear of misuse of the sport and the sporting equipment by dangerous elements has forced the Government to impose strict restrictions on import and usage of ammunition and rifles used for shooting.
Whereas Government is playing safe to ensure that ammunition doesn?t land up in the wrong hands, the reality however is different.
Shooters claim the weapons used for the sporting purposes are totally harmless and will not serve any untoward purpose. But the authorities, in their bid to be on the safer side, are not ready to accept this
"I can assure you that thhe facilities provided to me were by the Ministry of Sports and the same facilities are available to all. They equipment is absolutely safe," Rajavardhan Singh Rathore, ace shooter and Olympic medallist said on the sidelines of the National Shooting Championship.
More than 1,500 shooters are participating at the 49th National Shooting Championship happening at Gachibowli in Hyderabad.
Though this is a good number, the shooters' federation feels it would have been higher, had the home department been more considerate.
"Shooting is an upcoming sport and me getting all the support is a testimony that shooting has a bright future. People are recognising the sport and our aim should be to get the maximum number of medals in the Commonwealth Games," Rathore said.
(with inputs from Revathi in Hyderabad)
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