Proper planning necessary to improve marksmanship

Pavilion view

by Leslie Fernando

Shooting: The National Rifle Association should take more responsibility for the promotion and development of shooting in Sri Lanka. Planning, implementation and evaluation of this discipline should be maintained properly then the shooting standard will naturally improve.

Furthermore, the shooters should be provided with equipment and facilities said Pushpamali Ramanayake who has done great deeds for the country, winning several gold medals at international meets.

Mali who was attached to Sri Lanka Army said that she started shooting in 1988 continued upto 2006, commended late Daya Rajasinghe for guiding her to reach international standard. During our time the Sri Lanka Army provided all facilities to us. The Assistance and support was high. Equipment and ammunition was provided.

The coachers were present regularly at training sessions. We were provided with training schedules. She blamed the National Rifle Association for several shortcomings.

Mali who has been the national champion from 1988 to 2006 in her pet event 40 shot air rifle (except for three years), said that there is no Proper planning by NRA. The NRA only provided ammunition just a week before the South Asian Games and there was no proper coach to guide the shooters.

True, we won several medals at the SA Games but it was not due to national coach's efforts, but it was purely on individual determination and dedication.

Standard improves

The standard of shooting has shot up after the 10th South Asian Games held in Colombo last year and the National Rifle Association should keep the shooters in fine trim and at a high level for future international championships.

This is the opinion of Rohana Nanayakkara who was an ace shooter for Royal and Sri Lanka. He is now the National coach of the National Rifle Association.

Shooting is a unique sport and this is one of the disciplines Sri Lanka can win medals. The shooters main aim should be to concentrate on improving the sport with more dedication, added Rohana who excelled in this sport along with famous shooters Ravi Jayawardene, Rajasinghe brothers late Daya and Lucky, Kumar Chitty, Sri Kumaranayagam to name a few in the late 1960s.

Rohana who has represented the country at Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships and won medals in his pet event 50 metre rifle prone, said that during their time shooting standard was very high. Basically it was due to application and dedication towards the sport.

Start at school

The National Rifle Association (NRA) should start shooting at school level and popularise it, hold tournaments in air rifles and air pistol shooting. If the schoolboys show promise in this discipline, then gradually they will come up to point 022 level, said Russel Gray, a former Negombo rifle club shooter and national poolist from 1980 to 1982.

Gray, former Maris Stella College, Negombo sportsman who excelled in the 50 metres, 60 shot prone events said that the biggest problem in shooting is to get weapons and ammunition for training.

There is no problem for armed forces, but private clubs are faced with the issue of ammunition and weapons. Ministry of Defence has a control on purchase and issue of ammunition and weapons.

Coach necessary

The standard of shooting is somewhat good after our shooters' performance at the 10th South Asian Games held in Colombo 2006. The local shooters won 18 medals. All winners are young and from village schools. It is also satisfying to note that out of the 23 team members, 22 members had a hand in the medals said U.N.D Dharmasiri of Sri Lanka Army who has represented the country at several international shooting competitions.

We need a full time coach, if we are to learn the new techniques of shooting. Due to operational situation, coaches are unable to devote more time watching the shooters at practice, said Dharmasiri who started shooting in 1989 and he has represented the country at two Commonwealth Shooting Championships.

Dharmasiri who holds Sri Lanka record 580 out of 600 in the Air Rifle 60 shot event said that late Daya Ranasinghe devoted much time in coaching him and later Daya's brother Lucky trained him.

The NRA should take necessary steps to introduce shooting at school level. School cadets could use a point 22 rifle and go up the ladder gradually and become able shooters.