BHUBANESWAR 12-Nov-2015
Providing boost to shooting in Odisha, the State Government launched a 50 metre baffled range here at Kalinga Stadium today. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the 10-lane range, which has facility for practice and competition in 50m small bore rifle category.
Sports Minister Sudam Marndi, local MP Prasanna Pattasani, MLAs Bijay Kumar Mohanty, Priyadarshi Mishra; Rajya Sabha MP and Odisha Rifle Association (ORA) president Ananga Uday Singhdeo and Development Commissioner Upendra Nath Behera were present on the occasion.
Built by Odisha Police Housing Development Corporation at a cost of around Rs 1.39 crore, the shooting range will be managed and maintained by ORA. This is the first time that the state government has handed over an infrastructure facility in Kalinga Stadium to a non-government sports body, under PPP mode.
There is a plan to add facility for 10m air rifle and air pistol events to the range in the future. The range will run without any cost to the government, which, however, will not charge anything towards rental or electricity consumption.
Anybody can use the facility by paying membership and user fee. An agreement has been signed between the government and ORA to keep the user fee to the minimum. According to Kalinga Stadium in-charge Barija Mohanty, ORA will manage the range at `no-loss, no-profit` basis. The state body will also provide arms and ammunition at subsidised rate.
According to ORA secretary Hari Prasad Pattanayak, the range will function from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm. ``There will be one range official (coach) and four range boys to help and guide the users. ORA has plans to rope in a professional coach in the future,`` he said.
Pattanayak expressed confidence the range will be immensely helpful for the promotion of shooting in the state. ``Due to lack of a proper range, Odisha has not yet been able to win a medal in national shooting championships. This range is sure to help our shooters make a mark at national meets and win medals as well,`` he added.
The launching of the shooting range also coincided with the beginning of 5th State Shooting Championship. According to ORA secretary, around 250 competitors have joined the championship, which will conclude on November 15.
Competition in 0.22 bore 50m air rifle and 25m pistol events will take place at Kalinga Stadium Shooting Range, while that of 10m air rifle and air pistol events will be conducted at Utkal Karate School indoor range.
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PHOTO: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveils the shooting range in Bhubaneswar on Nov 12, 2015.
