First, training of existing rifle shooters in the high performance camp is being conducted at Odisha Rifle Association (ORA) range in Bhubaneswar by Coach Yunarti Ilyas of Guns for Glory, who brings along years of expertise in working at grassroots and elite level.

The High Performance Training Camp for National level athletes from Odisha will be conducted for rifle and pistol shooters in association with the ORA. This National preparatory camp at ORA is focused to prepare the national athletes for the upcoming National Shooting Tournament, scheduled to be held in Bhopal from 7 December 2019 to 3 January 2020.

Second, is ‘Talent Identification’, which is currently being carried out across schools in Bhubaneswar. Various meta cognitive and physical tests are being conducted to identify naturally talented children for the sport of shooting in the age group of 11-14. The tests include, BMI, 3D Coordination, Muscle Strength, Finger Dexterity, Finger Tapping, Reaction Time, Adaptive Matrices Test, DTKI - reactive stress tolerance and Two Hand Coordination.

The scientific tests are being currently carried out in Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) for 1000 children. A total of 4000 children from various schools of Bhubaneswar will undergo Talent Identification Test under OTAP and total of 200 children will be selected, who will undergo the fully funded training under the program at the newly built 10m shooting range at Kalinga Stadium to prepare for state and national level competitions in 2020.

Founder Director, Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation, Gagan Narang said, “The talent search would be conducted in various stages. Those students who clear the tests successfully would be finally introduced to the sport of shooting.’’

Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, Shri. Tusharkanti Behera, shared, “Through the Birla Gagan Narang Shooting HPC, we aim to provide state of art facilities and rigorous training and groom the best shooting talent in the State into future national and international shooters. Requisite camps have been structured and talented coaches have been engaged to take this objective forward.”

The permanent shooting range to be set up in Info valley, over 20 acres, will be one of the best and will be hosting national and international competitions, two years from now, he added. The tripartite agreement for the Shooting HPC was signed earlier in November 2018.

Talking about their association with the Shooting High Performance Centre, Suryakant Mishra, Chairman, Utkal Alumina International Ltd, a 100 percent subsidiary of Aditya Birla Group, said, “This Centre will be a hub for aspiring and talented shooters
of the State to build a career in the field. In coming years, Odisha will add a few names of shooters to its growing list of meritorious sportspersons. Our aim is to make advanced sporting facilities for these young shooters to help them achieve their dreams.”
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TOP: Students at the Odisha Talent Adoption Programme in Bhubaneswar.
RIGHT: Odisha shooters at the National Preparatory Camp in Bhubaneswar.