Shillong December 19: As part of an effort to promote Shooting Sports in Meghalaya, The Shooting Association of Meghalaya (SAM) registered under the Societies Registration Act XII of 1983, was formed on 18th July 2012 in Shillong in presence of the observer from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), where Mr. John F Kharshiing, and Mr. Neil Sootinck including other officials (list enclosed) were elected as President and General Secretary respectively.
As the art of shooting is also part of the traditional sports in North East, interest for this discipline has been forthcoming from various parts of Meghalaya, and presently a number of clubs are affiliated with the Shooting Association of Meghalaya (SAM)
The formation of the Shooting Association of Meghalaya was long overdue. In our country all states and union territories have such Rifle or Shooting associations that represent their respective states. But in the North East, it is only Assam , Manipur and recently Mizoram that have enjoyed such associations to represent the sport of shooting with the active support of the state governments.
We are pleased to inform you that the Shooting association of Meghalaya (SAM) has recently been accorded affiliation by the National Rifles Association of India(NRAI), which is the national apex body in the Country.
Our vision today with the Shooting Association of Meghalaya being formally recognized, it is our vision to see that we hold camps, select shooters with the potential and train them. As in any sport Shooting too requires a good physical and psychological condition, as well as technical perfection and unlike many other sports disciplines, in shooting age is not a problem, in promoting shooters of caliber, who can compete in the many categories under the shooting sports.
Shooting sport is a competitive sport involving tests of accuracy and speed by using only specific types of guns, such as firearms and air guns for specific categories. We will also initiate the process of training Judges and Shotgun Referees.
Men’s shooting was one of the nine events at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens , in 1896 and Shooting became an Asian Games event at the Second Asian Games in Manila , Philippines , in 1954.
In our country, the National Rifle Association of India is the supreme body that looks into all matters to do with shooting sport and has the sole responsibility of conducting and authorizing State, National and international level events in India.(SP News)
In our state the Shooting Association of Meghalaya with its affiliation and recognition is the only authorized body to conduct such events in Meghalaya, and at the international level the responsibility lies with the International Shooting Sports Federation.
We are in the process of preparing to compete in a number of Shooting Championships in the country.
Though the association currently lacks the basic indoor shooting range, for practice and training we are not held back. As in any discipline we have to start from scratch and with the support of the Government, the Department of Sports and Youth affairs and fellow sports association we will strive to uplift Shooting sports and hidden talents in Meghalaya.(SP News)
