Lankan Rifle Shooters need exposure

In spite of testing their wits against the more exposed marsmen and women the Lankan rifle shooters did well to finish with a haul of 18 medals. 2 goals, 7 silver and 9 bronze medals at the just concluded SAGames.

At the same time the National Rifle Shooting Association of Sri Lanka, headed by Rear Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, and his team left no stone unturned looking into the needs of the participants and the officials.

In the past Sri Lanka had some outstanding marksmen Olympians Ravi Jayawardene, Cpl. H.R. Perera Tokyo Olympics (1964), Lt. Col. Daya Rajasinghe. He represented the country in 1972 (Munich) ’88 Seoul S. Korea, ’92 Barcelona. Zal Chitty 1988 (S. Korea) IPI Ramanayake 1992, (2000 Sydney 2004 Athens) and Miss R. Abemanna 2000 Sydney Games.

Sri Lanka took part in all disciplines, held from Aug. 18-27. India was the only other country to take part in all disciplines at the games.. A.J. Jalaluddin a member of the International Shooting Federation, Germany was here to oversee the championship along with other international judges.

Q: What have you got to say about the standard of the Sri Lankan riflemen?

A: Without doubt Sri Lanka is among the top three in the SAF region. Your Riflemen hasn’t that much need exposure at international level. They have the potential and could match the best in Asia if given the correct exposure.

The Ministry of Sports must give them the encouragement and support by affording them with adequate training facilities. Given the opportunity they will make the grade. In 1991 SAF games and in the 1991 international shooting championship your marksmen were in peak form. But since then they have failed to maintain consistency. It attributes to the lack of competent coaches and international exposure. The Ministry of Sports must ensure that they too are given the same benefits.

Q: What about the organization.

A: The NRASL ably led by Rear Admiral Samarasinghe and his team has done an excellent job - BW