NEW DELHI: The national shooting camp proposed by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) still awaits approval from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), but the federation is doing all its groundwork in the meantime and has released a list of 108 senior men and women shooters (rifle/pistol) invited to attend the camp scheduled for October 5 to November 8 at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range (DKSSR) in Delhi.
“It is optional for the shooters to attend the coaching camp,” the NRAI said in a circular dated September 28.
While the rifle and pistol shooters deciding to attend the camp will be there for all 35 days, the shotgun shooters will be there from October 20 to 30 only.

The major logistical trouble facing the NRAI has been the lodging facility for the shooters. Last time, the proposed camp from August 1 was postponed due to travelling and lodging hurdles posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The federation had then decided to house the shooters at the nearby Manav Rachna University hostel, but this time the NRAI has decided to provide hotel accommodation to the shooters.
“The accommodation for the shooters and coaches will be arranged by the National Rifle Association of India on a single-occupancy basis at a nearby hotel. The details regarding accommodation will be sent shortly,” the NRAI circular further read.

However, shooters and coaches will be allowed “to stay at a place of their own choice” if they wish so.
The shooters and coaches willing to join the camp had to confirm their participation before September 30.
Apart from the list of shooters invited for the camp, names of nine senior national coaches, four junior national coaches and two foreign coaches for the camp are also mentioned in the circular.

Some of the senior national shooters are already training at DKSSR. The range was reopened by SAI in July.
“The proposal is being examined”, said SAI when contacted by Timesofindia.com.