Shooting range to have good facilities: Rathore

Lucknowites will soon have access to a good shooting range. The civic body is planning to build the 35 acres shooting range by March next year. To mark its start,a national level tournament will also be organised. Funds to the tune of Rs 10 crore are being spent on the construction of a 35 acres shooting range,which is being set-up at Kanpur Road near Amausi.

“To promote the sport,which is quite expensive,we plan to approach various schools in the city and give fee concessions to school children. We also have plans to sponsor around 15-20 top players at local level. Though,it will not be an international level shooting range because that requires six ranges instead of three,quality services will be provided here,” informed Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,Olympic silver medallist,who has been associated with the project.

“The ammunition needed for the shooting range will be imported by Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC). Those who want to carry their own rifles etc can do so while others can use the rifles etc available here by paying a nominal amount,” Rathore explained.

The LMC plans to generate revenue from the range through Public-Partnership and will also providing facilities like a gymnasium and a swimming pool. As a means of recreation,facilities in other sports like Table Tennis will also be provided. Plans to include ace shooters like Gagan Narang as part of the special faculty,are also in the pipeline.

“With the help of national level tournament which is scheduled for March next year,we want to make our presence felt in India’s shooting map,” said SK Singh,Municipal Commissioner,LMC.