Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS) The renovated state-of-the-art Karni Singh Shooting Range was inaugurated here Sunday, making it the third facility to be completed for the Commonwealth Games, which are due in October.
The shooting range, which will host the Comonwealth Shooting Championship from Feb 17, was under constant media glare as construction work started late, leading to speculation that it was behind schedule.

Sports Minister M.S. Gill, who inaugurated the stadium Sunday, dedicated it to the nation.

All the old structures were demolished and completely new ranges were constructed that the cost Rs.150 crore.

The earlier separate ranges for trap and skeet are now converted into new composite ranges with state-of-the-art scoring equipment.

The range built for 9th Asian Games 1982, was named in the honour of Karni Singh, the Maharaja of erstwhile princely state of Bikaner and legendary shooter.

“It is one of the best shooting stadium in the world. You can say that it is brand new as so much work has been done here,” Gill said.

Commonwealth Shooting Federation president Graeme Hudson, who was present during the function, echoed Gill’s view.

“I am very happy with the venue. It has world class facilities. I think they did the right thing by demolishing some of the old structures,” Hudson said.

“India is a growing power in shooting and with a-state-of-art shooting range like this, I am hopeful that more international events like World Cups and World championships could be hosted here in near future.”

Hudson also said that there were no security issues and that he is satisfied with the briefing of the Indian security agencies.

Athens Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was present to grace the ocassion.

“The shooting range is new and bigger. It is in the backdrop of a historic fort and it is rare you find a shooting range in such a beautiful location,” Rathore said.

“As shooters we strongly feel that the government has fully supported the sport. We will know more about the equipments after the facility is tested. We are having a camp here from tomorrow and there is likely to be teething problems. But I am sure the problems will be overcome and gradually eased out,” he said.

The stadium is spread over a vast area of 72 acres in the backdrop of Adilabad Fort. All the ranges are equipped with lighting facility to provide 2200 lux of light for high definition TV coverage. There are automatic electronic scoring target systems and air-conditioned lounges of all ranges.