Shillong, Oct 22: The initiative undertaken by the Shooting Association o
f Meghalaya, to organize a 2 day event at Pynursla and at Shillong on the 18th and 19th Oct was a sounding success. With the association being a year old it was a perfect way to celebrate it in a manner befitting the aims and objective of the association.
Lack of proper infrastructure did not deter the Shooting Association of Meghalaya, it was decided by the governing body of SAM that to hold such an event would be quite complicated especially with the choices of calibers of weapons available. As air rifles available in India are of 2 calibers i.e .177 & .22. The governing body decided that to maintain fairness in the Talent search we should do away with the different categories and keep, it open. As participants were encouraged to bring their own weapons, we felt that some gun owners prefer .177 and some .22. It was a tough decision – but no doubt a good one. As such the formation of the organizing committee and a technical team was undertaken and formed to take this forward and to translate it to reality.
The turn out at Pynursla was overwhelming with School children from 9 yrs older boys and girls including ladies, teachers and old men vying to hit the bulls eye. It must also be mentioned that participants all the way from Sohra also participated and the representation was from 28 different far and near villages around Pynursla C&RD Block. The total turn out at the Pynursla Shooting Talent Search was 152. School children from St. Anthonys Higher secondary school and Pynursla Presbyterian Secondary School making up half of the total, the rest were boys, girls, men and women young and old. It may be noted that the rules were understood easily by all participants. The Enthusiasm shown by one and all present was infectious and it reflected on the efforts of the organizers.
The program started with a welcome speech by the president and was immediately followed by a detailed brief on safety measures which was paramount to this Olympic discipline, participants were demonstrated with proper gun holding positions and the different firing positions allowed by one of our State and North East Silver Medalist shooter and trained member. The event ended at 4 pm with a speech by the Chief Guest Bah Jan Tynsong, MDC, Executive Member, KHADC, The spot study of the target sheets showed potential in about 20 participants in both the junior and senior category. The remaining also showed tremendous scope for improvement with availability of proper infrastructure.
The Shillong 10 Meter Shooting Talent Search was held at St. Anthonys Higher Secondary School, Laitumkhrah, starting with last minute rush and registration by a large number of interested enthusiast, a weapons check was conducted from 8.30 am. The turnout was totally unexpected with 37 junior and 112 seniors ranging in ages from 8 years to 18 in the Sub-Junior and Junior and upto 60 years including both men and women, young and old. Master Wansame Kharumnuid, 8yrs and 10 months, of St Edmunds School, was among the youngest participants.
Shooting enthusiast, first timers, came from far and near including students from Shillong Polytechnic, St. Anthonys Higher Sec. School, St Edmunds College, Army Public School, Gurkha Pathshala, St Marys School, St Marys Womens College, East End Chambers School, Rynjah, Assam Valley School.
There were participants from Meghalaya Police Fire Service, Meghalaya Veterinary Department, and also included Shri. PM Sangma, Addl Deputy Commission, Williamnagar, East Garo Hills, Shri H Shangpliang, MCS, & Director, Social Welfare, including other Participants came from as far away as Williamnagar, Tura, Ri- Bhoi, including Wahhiajer from Jaintia Hills and surrounding villages of Shillong.
The program was fired off with an introduction of the office bearers of Shooting Association of Meghalaya(SAM) by Shri John F Kharshiing, President SAM, who introduced the acclaimed shooters of Meghalaya. Ms. Gayatri Nair, 13 years old and a Gold medal winner of the 19th All Assam Shooting Championship and Champion of Champions, Ms. Melanie Pariat, Silver medal winner of the All India National Level inter School Shooting Championship 2012, and daughter of Shri. H Shangpliang, MCS, conducted a brief demonstration on pistol firing for the benefit of all the enthusiast who had gathered and finally Mr. John Thaonaujam, North East Silver Medalist at the North East Shooting Championship 2013, hailing from Tura, delivering a talk on safety, and different firing positions allowed including a few tips on weapon postures. There was also a brief speech on weapons safety by Shri. FG Kharshiing, IPS, an officer of Meghalaya Police.
With 12 shooting lanes, the 1st group of 12 junior shooters starting off at 10.30 am shooting carried on till 4.15 pm nonstop. All shooters were allowed a practice round of 5 minutes any number of shots/ pellets and 2 rounds of 5 shots in 4 minutes. The search ended with a speech from Shri. John F Kharshiing, President Shooting Association of Meghalay and the distribution of participation certificates.
The events concluded with a vote of thanks from Neil Sootinck, General Secy, Shooting Association of Meghalaya,(SAM), who expressed sincere appreciation to the help extended by the Organising Committee and official members of SAM, Secretary, Technical Team, SAM, East Khasi Hills District, President & Secretary, Pynursla Shooting Club, Shillong Shooting Club, DIPR for the P.A system; 1st MLP Battalion for the covered area and tents, and special thanks to Fr. Bernad Pala, Principal St. Anthonys Higher Sec. School, Laitumkhrah, and Headmaster St. Anthonys Higher Sec School, Pynursla, S.P (Traffic), and many others.(SP News)
