Omar opens All India Masters Rifle Championship

The Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the Government would explore possibilities of creating infrastructural facilities for the games of national and international importance to help mitigate development of all categories of sports.

            Inaugurating the 7th All India Sardar Sajjan Singh Sethi Memorial Masters Rifle Shooting Championship at Akhnoor, 30 kilometers from Jammu, the Chief Minister said the first of its kind in the State this shooting event would go a long way to promote the sports in the State. J&K has great potential and talent for which avenues and infrastructural facilities were required to be promoted, he said.

            Abdullah said he would discuss the ways and means with the Director General, Youth Welfare and Sports for boosting the sports activities in the State and creating adequate infrastructure. The holding of All India Masters Rifle Championship, in which renowned rifle shooters from all over India are participating, would provide a chance to the sports persons in this category to witness the championship and learn the technique and art, the Chief Minister said.

            Omar Abdullah said that Government was keen to give fillip to sports in Jammu and Kashmir and bring the State on the map of national and international sports. “We have to promote and grow the sports activities right from primary schools to the university level and from villages to the State level so that talent in various sports is identified, trained and nurtured for national and international events”, he added. He suggested holding of such events in Srinagar in near future also.

            The tournament has been organized by J&K Rifle Association in collaboration with National Rifle Association of India. The Sardar Sajjan Singh Sethi in whose memory the tournament has been organized, was the Founder and President of National Rifle Association of India.

            As many as 67 shooters from all over India are participating in the first ever such tournament in the State which will run from February 4 to February 11, 2009.

            The Olympic Silver medalist in shooting event Col. Rajvinder Singh Rathore and various national and international shooters were present on the occasion among a good number of sports lovers.

            The Chief Minister inaugurated the event by shooting a balloon with the short gun which he correctly targeted aimed thunders applause.

            On his arrival Chief Minister was received by the Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Mr. P. S. Gill, Vice President of National Rifle Association of India, Avtar Singh Sethi, Olympic Silver Medalist, Col. R. V. S Rathore, members of the organizing committee, Olympic Association and J&K Sports Council.

            General Secretary, J&K Rifle Association, Dr. N. S. Bhatial presenting the welcome address said that allotting Masters Shooting Championship to J&K is an honour to the State and local sports persons. He thanked Chief Minister and other distinguished guests including Col. R.V. S Rathore for gracing the occasion.