Sri Lanka hosts successful 11th Asian Youth Training and Coaching Camp
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Participants and NSSF officials after a successful training programme followed by the presentation ceremony
For the first time in history, Sri Lanka hosted a youth training camp and coaching programme under the auspicious of Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC), with National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF) organinsing the event. The programme, the 11th Asian Shooting Confederation Youth Training Camp and Coaching Programme 2023, was held from June 20 to 28 at the Mt. Lavinia Hotel, with 42 participants – 22 athletes and 20 coaches – from 15 countries.
His Excellency Sheikh Salman Al Sabah, ASC officially declared open programme in presence of Shirantha Peries, the President of NSSF, Engr. Duaij Al Otaibi, the Secretary General of ASC, Pradeep Edirisinghe, the Secretary General of NSSF, Deepak Kumar Dubey, the Trainer of the programme, officials of NSSF and all participants.
“I express my deep appreciation to the leadership and staff of NSSF for their hard work and cooperation in preparing and help ASC to continue in running this exceptional project for the development of the sport across the region and beyond,” stated Sheikh Al Sabah during his opening speech.
A practical session in progress
The training programmes was conducted by Deepak Kumar Dubey from India, who is a well renowned coach and trainer in shooting sport. He focused mainly on the discipline of Air Rifle and imparted his knowledge by conducting various sessions, which included theoretical and practical sessions on a specially designed shooting range at Mt. Lavinia Hotel.
“Mr. Dubey is a renowned coach and this definitely was a valuable opportunity to improve the shooting and coaching techniques from a highly praised coach. With the support of ASC, we, the NSSF, is glad that we were able to provide these young shooters and their coaches from the region, this opportunity. As His Excellency Al Sabah mentioned, the ambition of this programme is to produce more medal winners at top level, and Sri Lanka is proud to have played a role in this endeavor,” asserted NSSF President Shirantha Peries.
Trainer Deepak Kumar demonstrating on how to handle a gun
The purpose of ASC, to develop Youth and Junior athletes as well as National Coaches was well covered during the eight-day programme, in which the local youngsters and coaches were able to benefit. Sri Lanka had 10 athletes and five coaches, while Bangladesh, Pakistan and Tajikistan had two each of athletes and coaches, India and Kyrgyzstan has two athletes each, while Kazakhstan and Kuwait sent one each of an athlete and coach,
In addition to practical training, theoretical and a technical course for athletes and coaches, an anti-doping workshop was also be conducted by the programme conductors. The training camp was specifically dedicated for Air Rifle, an event governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation and conducted at Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
As expected, the training camp generated interest among the young rifle shooters in Sri Lanka, particularly in schools, to take up shooting sport as an extra-curricular activity. The event also helped showcase Sri Lanka’s capacity to organise and host international events for the region.
“We knew we have the potential to deliver and NSSF is capable of taking any challenge, and we proved it with this successful training programme” stated an energised NSSF President, Peries through whose initiative this event was brought to Sri Lanka.
Trainer Deepak Kumar conducting a session
ASC President, H.E. Shiekh Salman Al Sabah and NSSF President Shirantha Peries sharing views