The Hindu : Sport : Medal would depend on day’s showing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007
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Sport

Sport

Medal would depend on day’s showing

A. Joseph Antony

HYDERABAD: “There will be a marked improvement in scores by the Indian shooters at the ongoing Military World Games, but a medal would depend on the day’s showing,” team captain Major Surya Veer Singh Rajvee told The Hindu, on the eve of competitions slated to commence on Tuesday.

On an average, there would be a seven to eight per cent rise in scores over those posted in the Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (CISM) championships at Rena, Norway last year.

The home advantage

The pistol shooters seemed closer to the mark, while it would be a stiff challenge in the rifle category, especially the 300-metre standard and military rapid fire events. The home advantage will weigh in favour of the Indians, quite familiar with the ranges.

The going would not be easy though, with Russia, China and Turkey fielding strong teams in the pistol category and the case being the same in the rifle section, where USA, Norway, Egypt, Russia, Finland and Austria were in the fray.

As basically 50 metre marksmen, a six-fold jump in the distance will be the first major hurdle the rifle shooters will have to adapt to at the picturesque Lake Line ranges outside Secunderabad.

The dry weather that has prevailed over the past few days will be a boon, if it continues. The wind could wreak havoc with the best laid out plans, where shooters would need to provide for deviation in line and length.

Little wonder then that a 12-minute limit is given for sighting shots to familiarise one with the conditions of the day.

The format

The competition comprises shots, divided into three positions of 20 hits each. Each position will have two series of 10 shots, fired in the following format: standing and kneeling, two series of 10 each. Each series must be completed in two minutes.

In the prone, each of two series last only a minute and a half. On completion of the range officer’s countdown, the targets are raised simultaneously and lowered after the ‘stop firing’ signal. A minute later, the target is again raised to enable the marksman note his hits with a telescope.

The Indian shooting squads have been training for the past one year at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), in the Military Headquarters of War (Mhow), where Col. Ivor James Peoples, Director of Competitions for MWG shooting, is Commanding Officer.

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