Tokyo Olympics: Olympic-bound Indian shooters to train in Europe

Tokyo Olympics: The Olympic Games-bound Indian shooting contingent is likely to take part in the European Shooting Championships this month. They will also be able to train in Europe, a coach with the national team said on Saturday.

“A discussion is on to find the right place for the team to train as it has already missed vital training sessions because national camp couldn’t be organised in New Delhi’s Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges owing to the Covid pandemic. There is a possibility of finalising the plan early next week,” the coach told IANS.

Other matches and competitions

According to the coach, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is planning to send a core group of shooters to Croatia.

“Even if the team is unable to compete in European Championships, it will be a good place to practice,” he said.

Back in March, the national team, including Olympics quota winners competed in the New Delhi World Cup. The national squad was at the top of the table after winning nine gold medals.

The core group of shooters got a short break after that competition and their training was supposed to start from April 20 at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges. However, due to the number of rising cases of COVID-19, it was postponed. 

With the lockdown in New Delhi being extended on Saturday it looks increasingly doubtful that Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges would remain as a choice for NRAI. The shooters who are preparing for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled to be held in July-August will have to train at another range.

The national team was also to compete in the World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 21 to July 2, as part of its Olympic preparation. But due to the growing number of pandemic cases the local government in Baku cancelled the competition