New Delhi- Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill on Sunday inaugurated the reconstructed Karni Singh shooting range, loaded with advanced technology and equipment, just months after serious doubts were raised whether it could be ready in time for the Commonwealth championships, scheduled from February 17.One of the major venues for the Commonwealth Games in October, Gill credited himself, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the workforce for its speedy completion.
Gill admitted that he had doubts over the range being completed in time. “Nothing is lacking in this range. With its scenic beauty and the historical monuments around, this is the best shooting range in the world,” he said.
The President of the Commonwealth Shooting Federation, Graeme Hudson, said the venue could be rated among the top three ranges in the world. “India is coming up as a shooting power. I am sure after this state-of-the-art stadium, there will be events like World Cup and World championship here,” Hudson said.
The Minister promised that massive plantation and beautification would be done to make the site more attractive. “Plus, there will be a 200-seated hostel. This will be a self-contained facility to help the campers,” he said.
However, indoor and outdoor works are still on in the range and many areas are yet to be given the final touches. It was apparent that some of the decoration and civil works were done in haste for the inauguration.
Some top shooters of past and present — including Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Asian Games gold winner Randhir Singh, Asian Games medal winner Mansher Singh, multiple Commonwealth Games gold winner Samaresh Jung — were pleased to see the world-class infrastructure in place.
”We the shooters congratulate the Sports Ministry, SAI and CPWD for having built the range in such a short time,” said Randhir, also the Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games. He said he was invited to the event as a shooter.
Rathore hoped that things would be fully ready by the Commonwealth championships. “Tomorrow onwards we are shooting here. It is like fitting a coat (for oneself). I think the problems will be sorted out before the test event,” he said.
Mansher suggested that the facilities needed to improve for holding an international meet. “With the rocks in place (in trap shooting), the aesthetics were better in the old range. The colour used here does not look great either,” he said.
OCCG Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, in a statement, said that he could not be present on the occasion because of prior commitments in Pune, his Parliamentary constituency. Apparently, only Kalmadi was invited from the OC for the function, a minor departure from what was followed when the Dhyan Chand National Stadium was inaugurated earlier.
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